Help Save the Ocean
While it is disheartening to see that this much trash is compiled on our local waterways, it is very rewarding to see a community come together to make a difference for the home we share with local wildlife. These cleanups have a huge impact on the well-being of our bay, but it doesn’t take a large event to make a difference. There are many ways to help conserve the ocean, starting in your own backyard! Here’s a list of some ocean-friendly habits to get started!
1. Pick Up Trash, and Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Plastic
One of the big reasons animals arrive at our hospital is due to pollution. Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, birds get entangled in fishing line, and animals get stuck in plastic wrappings. These are all things that can easily be avoided by simply disposing of our trash correctly, recycling and reducing plastic use. Picking up any trash you see can help.
- Conserve Water
Did you ever consider that saving the environment could also save you money as well?! It sure can, by following a couple of easy steps; your average monthly water bill can be greatly reduced. Checking for leaks consistently, not running water while completing tasks like brushing your teeth, changing out showerheads to a low flow model, and even reusing water for things like watering the plants has the ability to not only save water but your pocketbook as well.
- Use Environmentally-Friendly Products
Eco-friendly products are those that do not harm the environment whether in their production, use or disposal. In other words, these products help preserve the environment by significantly reducing the pollution and waste they could produce.
- Know Where Your Food Comes From
Another way to help the ocean is by paying attention to where your seafood comes from. While it may seem as if the ocean is abundant and full of a never-ending supply of fish, this may not always be the case. Due to overfishing, a lack of environmental-minded management, and our own consumption habits, our fish populations are declining. Not only is this a problem for the fish themselves, but also for the communities that rely on the fishing industry for their income. In order to ensure that these fish populations thrive, and fishermen continue to have jobs, there are easy steps we can take!
- Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
While it is common courtesy to pick up after your pet, it can also help save the ocean! Dogs and cats produce 10 million tons of waste each year in the U.S. alone. This waste can be harmful to water supplies. When it rains, that carries the waste into rivers, beaches and bays introducing harmful bacteria to those areas. If the amount of bacteria gets too high it could be unsafe for drinking and swimming. An easy fix is to always pick up your pets’ waste! There are even biodegradable poop bags available, to minimize the use of plastic.
At The Ecofairy, our goal is to help you build a more sustainable life by offering you a line of reusable products. We offer you products that last and that will help you reduce the amount of plastic you use.