The largest cleanup in history, for the biggest mess in history.

Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste enters our oceans, mostly from what spills out of rivers. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, between California and Hawaii, now covers an estimated surface area twice the size of Texas.

The Ocean Cleanup project is working to collect the plastic from the oceans and rivers and converting it into recyclable products. The average American creates 270 pounds of plastic waste every year and only about 9% is recycled. Scientists estimate that around 9 million tons of plastic makes its way from land into the sea every year. The plastic won’t go away by itself, it needs to be collected and converted.

A study published in 2019 reveals that Monterey Bay has tiny plastic particles known as micro-plastics. We need to act now to protect our Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.

1. Stop the source: Reduce Your Use of Single-Use Plastics

The easiest way to do your part is by reducing/eliminating your use of single-use plastics. Including plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, dry cleaning bags, take-out containers, and any other plastic items that are used once and then discarded. But take it further by avoiding disposable plastic wherever you can.

2. Recycle Properly

Recycle your plastic waste. If its not recyclable, don’t buy it. If you’re not sure what is recyclable check Earth911 directory, GreenWaste Recycle Guide for Santa Cruz County, or Monterey County Recycle Guide.

3. Participate In (Organize or DIY) a Beach or River Cleanup

Help remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from getting there in the first place by participating in, or organizing a cleanup of your local beach or waterway. This is one of the most direct and rewarding ways to fight ocean plastic pollution. You can simply go to the beach or waterway and collect plastic waste on your own or with friends or family, or you can join a local organization’s cleanup or an international event like the International Coastal Cleanup.

4. Donate and support our oceans

Every minute, every dollar you can contribute to help our oceans heal is vitally important to our and future generations.

Local ocean champions
Save our Shores, Santa Cruz
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

World ocean champions
The Ocean Cleanup project
Oceana
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

Thank you Boyan, we’ve been watching you since your TedTalk in 2012.

Eco-guide to living lighter

The Ocean Cleanup project is underway

The Ocean Cleanup project is underway

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