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In case you haven’t heard the news, our oceans are inundated with microplastic. The Vancouver Courier reported recently that “Ocean Wise scientists were sounding the alarm … saying that microplastic pollution is threatening ocean life right here in Vancouver”. The Courier’s article goes on to say that “Dr. Peter Ross, vice-president of research at Ocean Wise and a leading microplastic expert, said his team found 1,258 tiny particles of plastic in one cubic metre in a sample of seawater taken from the waters near the Vancouver Convention Centre.”  “To put that in perspective, scientists collecting samples off the coast of Qatar last year found an average of 0.7 particles per cubic metre.”

These numbers are alarming and should grab everyone’s attention.  Plastics are making their way into our food supply. As a City situated on the water, we need to do better, MUCH better. What is needed is action, not talk.  Global News quoted Ocean Wise President and CEO John Nightingale “some are estimating that by 2040 or 2050, there will be more pounds of plastic in the ocean than there are pounds of fish.” Honestly, that statement is horrifying to us as it is to many others. So the initiative Plastic Wise has been created to help us create a better environment for all.

We see plastic lying around everywhere every day. Whether it’s floating in the Fraser River, garbage left behind, or dog bags used to clean up dog poop, then just dropped somewhere to be picked up later, but never are. The day before Ocean Wise made this announcement of their new campaign, we drove down our residential street and within 2 blocks saw 4 plastic bottles lying on the side of the road.  These bottles were just a short distance from City of Vancouver storm drains that connect to the Fraser River. The Fraser River as you might imagine contains a host of fish and wildlife.   We have recently been reading about the harmful effects of plastic in all areas of life. Whether it’s storing food, water bottles, plastic bags for shopping, plastic bags for garbage, products you buy with excess packaging. The facts are startling, but we can and should do better MUCH better and cumulatively people can make a difference.   So we have taken the Ocean Wise Pledge and plan to do better. We invite you to do the same.

For us making changes is all about breaking old habits and creating better ones. We suggest tackling one thing.  Some simple things you can do include:

• Organize or Participate in a Clean Up Whether a Shoreline or Your Block
• Buy and Use a Refillable Coffee Mug
• Buy/Use a Refillable Water Bottle
• Have Your Own Stash Of Reusable Grocery Bags
• Recycle.Reuse.Refill
• Buy Bulk
• Pack Lunch With Reusable Containers
• Buy Products With Minimal Packaging
• See A Plastic Bottle Lying About, Pick It Up
• Buy Refillable Bottles of Household Cleaners
• Give Up Gum – Did You Know “Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, aka plastic.”
• Use a Razor with Replaceable Blades Instead of a Disposable Razor
• Consider Making Your Own Cleaning Products
• Use Metal Straws Instead Of Plastic Straws
• Use Matches Instead of Disposable Plastic Lighters/Invest in a Refillable Metal Lighter
• Give Up Single Use Plastic Bags

What will you do to use less plastic?  We’ve already tackled a lot of the items on this list, but certainly not all.  Integrating and adopting small changes is the key better habits for your health and that of our environment. To take the pledge, visit Plastic Wise. On this site, you will find some great information about microplastics. Check out Microplastics in 60 Seconds to find out what they are, and all the places they come from. Together we can make a difference.

Photo Credit: Ocean Wise

Tags: Microplastics, Ocean Wise, Plastic Wise, Recycle, Refill, Reuse, Take The Pledge