7 Simple Ways to Help Protect Our Oceans

There’s nothing quite like a day by the ocean. You get to feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin as you marvel at the wonders hidden beneath the waves in the distance. We don’t want to lose our oceans to pollution. While there’s also plenty of trash and chemicals in those waters, you can help minimise that environmental damage.

 

Check out these 7 simple way to protect our oceans; everyday ideas to reduce your pollution. You’ll conserve water, protect the oceans and create an environmental community that prioritises the seven seas.

 

1. Choose Recycled Plastic

 

Traditional plastic is still an industry standard for most companies making plastic products. However, it’s not the only option for consumers. Double-check your preferred products to see if they contain recycled plastic. You’ll keep new plastic out of the ocean and avoid financially supporting the oil industry.

 

Items made with recycled plastic also don’t rely on offshore drilling to mine oil for new plastic. Drilling sites destroy underwater habitats and trap aquatic animals when they leak. Avoid contributing to the problem by only getting plastic made from recycled materials.

 

2. Clean Up in You Area

 

If you live near a body of water or take beach vacations, make an effort to clean up litter. You can organise a clean-up with your neighbours or look for volunteer opportunities in your community. It can also be as simple as bringing a bag with you when you go for a walk or hit the beach to pick up trash as you go. Every small effort counts.

 

3. Watch Where You Shop

 

Are there eco-friendly alternatives available at your preferred grocery store? Do the products have clear labels, making it easy to tell which are the most planet-friendly?

 

A grocery store selling fewer eco-conscious products may also work against your oceanic interests. If you can’t find packaging free of chemicals like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), you’ll bring groceries home that contain the harmful substances. When your garbage reaches landfills and potentially ends up in waterways or the ocean, the PFAS chemicals poison nearby animals and plants by leaking from the trash.

 

Checking labels is a small step anyone can take to reduce their environmental impact. It only takes a second to see if your money is supporting the brands trying to improve the planet with you.

 

4. Turn On News Notifications

 

National, international and local news stations report eco-focused stories. You might miss positive progress or the latest environmental setbacks if you’re not paying attention. Ensure you turn on notifications for your preferred news stations, listen to the radio or turn on the news for a few minutes a week to know what the oceans need and what humans are doing right.

 

5. Cut or Swap Your Soda Rings  

 

The six-pack rings on your sodas eventually reach landfills and sometimes find their way into the ocean. Animals think they’re food and either choke while the rings are around their necks or get stuck in their throats. Cutting the rings before throwing them out makes them less deadly. You could also swap your preferred brands for beverage companies making their six-pack rings with newer materials.

 

Brands typically six-pack rings with polyethylene, which isn’t biodegradable in landfills or natural biomes. Sustainable or biodegradable alternatives are available if you research eco-friendly beverage replacements for what you drink every day.

 

6. Talk With Your Loved Ones

 

Everyone has a platform, even if you only know a few people. Talk with your family and friends to help protect the oceans. If they’re making the same minor changes as you, like using less water to wash dishes or adjusting their thermostat, you’ll help the planet even more than if you did everything alone.

 

7. Always Find a Recycling Can

 

Tossing things in the nearest garbage bin is tempting, but try recycling whenever possible. You’ll avoid adding recyclable materials to landfills where their reusable potential goes to waste.

 

You could also find fun things to do with the belongings you don’t need anymore if you can’t make it to a recycling centre. People turn newspapers and magazines into wrapping paper to avoid purchasing more paper-based products. Turn your soda bottles into bird feeders or delivery boxes into storage containers under your house. A little creativity goes a long way in helping the planet.

 

Start Protecting the Oceans Every Day

 

Now that you’ve read 7 simple ways to help protect the oceans, consider which changes would most easily fit into your life. Whether you ask a loved one to join your efforts or make small changes in your grocery list, oceanic animals and everyone who depends on them will feel grateful for your determination.