The Great Pacific Garbage Patch- "No bag please."

YUK

This photo from wikipedia is of an albatross that starved becuse its stomach was full of garbage. Why? Read on to find out more.

The "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is an area bigger than the size of Texas in the USA consisting of 3.5 million tons of rubbish, mainly plastic and cigarette butts. It was formed by the North Pacific Gyre and 80% of it comes from sources on land, the remaining 20% is believed to come from boats. It was discovered in 1988 and has only taken 50 years to form since the mass use of plastic became popular.

When plastic breaks down it forms minute shards which are then eaten and ingested by all kinds of marine animals. The parts that don't break down quickly are often eaten by birds and fish which eventually starve to death because their stomachs are full of plastic.

What can you do?

• Take individual responsibility for your plastic use and disposal.


• Take part in Clean Up Australia Day or get out and clean up your neighbourhood before the next big rain washes any rubbish into the storm water drains and into the ocean.


• Buy "green bags" and put them back in your car when you've finished with them so you don;t forget to take them shopping next time.


• Refuse plastic bags, especially if you are buying only a couple of things, it takes no effort to say " No bag please"


• Shop for fruit and vegetables at a farmer's market and get it in a box.


• Don't throw your cigarette buts out the window of your car. I know many smokers are reluctant to use the ashtray in their car because they don't want the car to smell like an ashtray. You can use a TicTac container or and old film canister for this and with an airtight seal the cigarette is extinguished by lack of oxygen.


• Finally, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, never throw out any rubbish.

It is only by working together that we can stop the Great Pacific Garbage Patch from becoming ENORMOUS.