Photo from dtmag.com
As we celebrate Earth Day today, we invite you to join us in making a renewed effort to “unplasticate” our lives.
We are now producing more than 300 million tons of plastic every year. The amount of plastics that ends up in our oceans is reaching crisis proportions, not only threatening our waters and marine life, but human health, as well.
Join us in advocating for the ocean! Information is readily available to share with family and friends, including these alarming — but important — facts from the Rachel Carson Council:
- At least 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. That translates into basically emptying a garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute.
- There is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way.
- Approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide each year. More than one million bags are used every minute.
- The average U.S. citizen consumes 167 plastic water bottles each year, but recycles just 25% of them.
- 322 million tons of plastic were produced in 2015. This represents the same weight as 900 Empire State Buildings.
- From the tiniest plankton to the largest whales, plastics impact nearly 700 species in our ocean.
- Plastic has been found in more than 90% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtles species when autopsied.
