TIME TO FACE THE FACTS:
PLASTIC POLLUTION
PLASTIC POLLUTION, AND THE
DISASTROUS EFFECT OF OUR
SINGLE USE PLASTIC ON THE
PLANET, IS A HOT TOPIC AT THE
MOMENT.Millions of tonnes of plastic makes its way into our
oceans every year, and as surfers, water-women, ocean-
dwellers and sea lovers, we need to do our best to
reduce plastic use where possible.
Although topical, it’s sometimes easy to slip back into
old habits, so here is a reminder of a few eye-opening
facts to encourage us all on our plastic-free journeys.■ Approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find
their way into our oceans every day.
■ 100,000 marine mammals and turtles, and 1 million
sea birds, are killed by marine plastic pollution annually.
■ One person who eats an average amount of seafood,
swallows up to 11,000 pieces of micro-plastic every year
■ Tests show billions of people globally are drinking
water contaminated by plastic particles, with 83% of
samples found to be polluted.
■ A million plastic bottles are bought around the world
every minute.(Facts from Surfers Against Sewage, University of Ghent
and Orb Media)What Next?
Don’t feel disheartened – all is not yet lost and there
are things we can all do right now to help change the
situation. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “It is
one world. And it’s in our care. For the first time in the
history of humanity, for the first time in 500 million years,
one species has the future in the palm of its hands.”Here are some simple tips to reduce your
plastic footprint...■ Carry and use a reusable bottle, coffee cup and
shopping bags
■ Refuse plastic straws and disposable cutlery
■ Swap to a milkman
■ Give up chewing gum
■ Select loose fruit and veg
■ Ditch the clingfilm and use beeswax wraps
■ Use refill stations
■ Select glass or cardboard packaging
■ Use loose leaf tea with a strainer
■ Choose biodegradable glitter
■ Switch to a bamboo toothbrush
■ Buy soap, shampoo and conditioner bars
■ Swap face wipes for flannels
■ Invest in a reusable razor“When the last tree is cut down, the last fish
eaten and the last stream poisoned, only then will
you realise that you cannot eat money”.
A Native American prophecy.