Take Action

How can you make a difference close to home even if you don't live by the ocean?

The Mississippi River and Missouri River both spill into the Gulf of Mexico. Which means we can affect ocean microplastics close to home.

Here are some things you could do to stop microplastics from going into the ocean.

Reduce your plastic use!

These are some simple ways to use less plastic:

• Use reusable grocery bags instead of plastics ones

• Use reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones

• Don’t use plastic utensils or plates- When having a big gathering use biodegradable ones instead

• Bring your own reusable utensils to gatherings with plastic utensils

• Don’t use plastic straws

• Use reusable container instead of plastic bags

• Use natural clothing such as cotton, silk, wool, or bamboo instead of synthetic clothing

• Eat unpackaged foods such as fruit and vegetables

• Eat your ice cream in a cone instead of with a plastic cup and spoon

Spread the word!

Educating others about the dangers of microplastics is crucial.

• Tell other people to not use single use plastics

• Organize a community clean up! Pick up trash with your community

• Petition your school to stop using single use plastic for school lunch. See sample letter bellow

• Share this website with your friends!!

Dear School Administrators,

We are concerned about the styrofoam plates and plastic utensils we are using for school lunch. We have been learning about microplastics. They really hurt the environment. Over the past 50 years, plastic production has doubled, and each year, eight million tons of plastic end up in our oceans. If current trends continue, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean within the next 25 years!

The plastics and microplastics are harmful to wildlife. For example, sea turtles in the ocean can eat the plastics which can make them ill and weaken their immune systems. Microplastic even prevent phytoplankton from removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

We propose that the school switch to biodegradable, non-plastic plates and utensils. This change would only add 10 cents per lunch, totaling just $18 per student for the entire year. This is a small investment to help protect our oceans!

We look forward to discussing how we can implement this change.

Thank You,