Can A Picnic Help Save The Ocean?

A picnic is fun for the whole family, but can it really help the ocean?

It sure can if...
we pack a waste-free, earth friendly lunch.

How to pack a waste free picnic?

1. Place picnic food in reusable containers.
2. Use refillable drink bottles.
3. Include reusable utensils.
4. Add cloth napkins.
5. Include fresh fruits and vegetables.
6. Pack the picnic in a reusable basket, backpack, or lunchbox.

But how does a typical picnic lunch differ from an earth friendly picnic lunch?

And how are these factors important to the ocean?

We all enjoy the convenience of prepackaged products, especially on a picnic.  But over the years this convenience has produced a big problem.  People around the world are becoming aware of just how much trash our disposable lifestyle is generating and how more and more of it is ending up in the ocean.  

• Scientists believe 80% of all ocean debris comes from land sources, and the biggest part is from food and beverage containers.  

• The most common items are food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps, and plastic straws and drink stirrers. 

There are several ways our debris enters the ocean:

1. Boats and Sea Vessels
2. Improper Land Waste Management 
3. Littering and Dumping
4. Stormwater Runoff 

Land debris can travel down nearby streams and rivers that eventually empty into the ocean.  Once it enters the ocean, it is called marine debris.  And it's more that just an eye sore.  

Marine debris is hazardous to animals living in the ocean.  

• Sea turtles are eating baggies and balloons which they can not digest.  
• Dolphins are becoming entangled in fishing nets and bathing suits that cause injury or death.
• Hatchlings are getting trapped inside six pack rings floating in their habitat.
• Fish are ingesting small plastic items.
• Coral is becoming broken and/or smothered by debris.  

 

Fortunately we can do something about this problem.  Here are six ways we can keep trash from entering the ocean.

• Choose reusable containers instead of disposable.
• Find ways to reuse items instead of disposing of them.
• Place all recyclable items in recycle bins not the trash.
• Take items home to recycle if no bins are available.
• Dispose of non-recyclable trash in containers with lids.  
• Pick up litter and dispose of it.

We need the ocean and the ocean needs us.  If we work together, we can keep is pristine.

    

Research Sources:

1.  "Marine Debris Program: Office of Response and Restoration".  Web.  19 Mar. 2018.  National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
<https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/prevention/rethink-disposable-preventing-marine-debris-source>.

2.  "Trash Talk: How Does Marine Debris Impact The Ocean Animals And Me".  Web.  20 Mar. 2018.  Ocean Today: National Ocean Service-NOAA.  <https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/trashtalk_impacts/>. 

3.  "Trash Talk: Special Feature."  Web.  22 Mar. 2018.  Ocean Today: National Ocean Service-NOAA.  <https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/trashtalk_specialfeature/welcome.html>.

4.  "WasteFreeLunches.org".  Web.  23 Mar. 2018.  WasteFreeLunches.org. <http://wastefreelunches.org>.

Image Credits:

1.  Picnic by 422737 is licensed under CO Creative Commons.

2.  Typical Lunch/Earth Friendly Lunch [created by the author].

3.  Picnic Basket by Liana Mikah on Unsplash.

4.  Tidal Caves by Adele Payman on Unsplash.