LIVE BLUE
THE LIVE BLUE MOVEMENT
At Lakes & Oceans, we choose to LIVE BLUE.
This means that we act in tangible ways to combat plastic pollution, and protect our world's lakes and oceans.
Did you know that if things don't change, they'll be more plastic than fish by 2050? More than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into earth's water every year; that's the equivalent of one full garbage truck of plastic every minute.
We're not ok with this.
We want to effect change, and we want to be part of the solution.
That's why proceeds from every hat sold by Lakes & Oceans are used to clean 1000 feet of shoreline through our charity partner, PLASTIC OCEANS.
PLASTIC OCEANS does amazing work in Canada and around the world with the goal of changing consumer behaviour and corporate and public policy, and fostering solutions to plastic pollution.
They also act as a hub for many organizations seeking to clean up and/or reduce plastic pollution in and around our world's lakes and oceans.
Check them out at https://plasticoceans.ca/
We encourage you to search their site to find an organization that aligns with your passions (or start one!) and get involved.
HOW CAN I LIVE BLUE?
Wait - you mean besides buying a couple hats? ;)
There are many simple and effective ways you can take action today - and everyday - to reduce your plastic waste:
1) Carry a Reusable Bag With You
Most people by now know that single-use plastic grocery bags are going the way of the dinosaurs (quite literally, in fact, since plastic is made from fossil fuels, which in turn are derived from fossilized plant and animal matter from millions of years ago).
Although they are billed for their “convenience,” grocery bags are extremely inconvenient for the planet:
- It's estimated that we use 4 TRILLION plastic bags each year worldwide
- Besides being made from fossil fuels, the average plastic bag is only used for 10-20 minutes (just think about how quickly you can get from the grocery store to your house)
- Unfortunately, that plastic bag lives on much, much longer — perhaps as much as 1,000 years in a landfill
- What’s worse, plastic grocery bags aren’t recyclable curbside. In fact, plastic bags spell big trouble for recycling facilities, getting caught in the machinery and slowing or even halting the entire recycling process. They’re called ‘tanglers’ by professionals in the recycling business for a reason…
- According to Waste Management, only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling
If you drive to the store, keep reusable your bags in your car. If you bike, keep them in your basket. If you walk, store your reusable bags near your front door.
Through this act that helps you LIVE BLUE, you can help reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in the garbage each year.
2) Pack Reusable Utensils & Straws
Many of us live our lives on-the-go these days. In a busy world, we don’t always know where we will be when we eat our next meal.
But the problem with eating on the run is that you can’t turn to your home's drawers or cupboards to pull out reusable utensils and straws. Plastic utensils used for eating on the fly are an unnecessary but major source of plastic pollution. What’s more, most plastic utensils can’t be recycled curbside, making it even more important to ditch the single-use plastics.
The good news? This plastic problem can easily be solved with an easy fix; carry a spare set of flatware and a reusable straw that you can bring with you in your day-to-day life. Stash some at your desk or office, and keep a set in your backpack or purse; these items are easy to find and some are even designed specifically to fit easily in your day bag.
Through this act that helps you LIVE BLUE, you can help reduce plastic waste, everyday.
3) Join a Local Cleanup and/or Group
Our favourite way to help!
There’s no better way to contribute to a cleaner and healthier community than by volunteering to tackle out-of-control waste. Join others in your community (or in other communities) as you work to clean up our shorelines.
Our partner, PLASTIC OCEANS, can help you find organizations that do cleanups all over our country and the world.
Start here: https://plasticoceans.ca/organizations-national/
Through this act that helps you LIVE BLUE, you can make a difference as we battle litter and waste in and around our priceless bodies of water.
FOR THE KEENERS: ADDITIONAL LINKS
https://www.earthday.org/campaign/end-plastic-pollution/
https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/