Plastic Seas

April and I teamed up again at Squalicum Beach in Bellingham this summer. We had a few ideas we wanted to shoot, the main one being photography to address plastic waste in our ocean. Here is a message from April:

“Plastic Seas” Up to 11 million TONS of plastic enter our oceans each year, harming marine life, birds, and even showing up in human food in the form of microplastics.

Much of this waste starts out on land, from overflowing landfills to litter on streets and beaches that end up in storm drains, rivers, creeks, and are swept out to sea.

This is a massive problem that requires everyone to do what they can to reduce their plastic consumption.

So what can be done?!

One way we are combating this issue locally is that the Bellingham City Council has passed a single-use plastics ordinance in food service and lodging industries.

The ordinance requires that durable food service wares such as plates, utensils and cups be used instead of disposables for on-site dining. The ordinance also prohibits provision of most single-use plastic utensils, straws, plates, containers, and packaging for restaurant takeout or delivery; instead, businesses can use reusable or provide compostable service wear. Lodging businesses may no longer stock rooms with travel sized toiletries such as shampoo, soap and lotion.

Companies like Sustainable Connections are actively educating the community in ways to move toward Zero Waste.

“Refilleries” such as Living Pantry and Pumped Bellingham offer soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents, and other products to reduce buying single use plastic bottles of product.

Sea Bar is a local solid shampoo and conditioner bar company pledging to pick up a pound of beach plastic for every bar sold.

Surf Rider Foundation has chapters around the nation that do beach cleanups, education, and more, all for the sake of protecting our oceans.