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Plastic Pollution• History• Quantities• Marine life• Toxicity• Research• Solutions

• History• Quantities• Marine life• Toxicity• Research• Solutions

Precautionary Principle (in this context)

• When/If an action or choice has the potential to be harmful to ourselves or the environment, that action should be avoided.

Precautionary Principle (in this context)

• When/If an action or choice has the potential to be harmful to ourselves or the environment, that action should be avoided.

FOR A PRIZEFOR A PRIZE

1955 Life article-“Throwaway

Living”

AMRF

Pre-production plastic pelletsPre-production plastic pellets

How is plastic made?

NurdlesNurdles

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In the U.S. we go through: -274 million plastic bags per day …or… 100 billion annually

-45 million water bottles per day …or… 16.5 billion annually

In the U.S. we go through: -274 million plastic bags per day …or… 100 billion annually

-45 million water bottles per day …or… 16.5 billion annually

Ballona Creek after a rainstorm

Why should a disposable product outlast its user by

generation after generation after generation?

Formation of the GyresFormation of the GyresThe Great Pacific Garbage PatchThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A giant, eternal swirling spiral of floating trash - “2-4X the size of Texas” (the whole Pacific Ocean)- 90% plastic- 80% land-based (NOAA)

A giant, eternal swirling spiral of floating trash - “2-4X the size of Texas” (the whole Pacific Ocean)- 90% plastic- 80% land-based (NOAA)

Captain Charlie Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundationfinds this area is like a

plastic soup.

Captain Charlie Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundationfinds this area is like a

plastic soup.

AMRF

Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX) - 2009Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX) - 2009

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Hawaiian IslandsHawaiian Islands

Kamilo Beach,Big Island Hawaii

Jay Holcomb-IBRCC

Black-footed Albatross at Midway AtollBlack-footed Albatross at Midway Atoll

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What do you see in the stomach of this albatross chick?

“Litter does not distinguish itself between biodegradable or non-biodegradable.”

American Chemistry Council letter to the City of Monterey, 2/6/2008

Gregg Segal

Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellies.Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellies.

What does this look like?What does this look like? A jellyA jelly

Many species suffer from ingestion and entanglement of plastics bags.

A mother sea otter tries to free her pup from a plastic bag.Elkhorn Slough - Moss Landing, CA Photo by Terry McCormac

©Dino Ferrihttp://www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo

NOAA

Entanglement of plastic six-pack holders and rings…Entanglement of plastic six-pack holders and rings…

Jason Hogle NOAA

Transport of invasive species and larvaeTransport of invasive species and larvae

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Plastic also sinks to the deep seaPlastic also sinks to the deep seaLittle is understood about the affects on deep sea ecologyLittle is understood about the affects on deep sea ecology

There is no more “away” in today’s throwaway society.There is no more “away” in today’s throwaway society.

Antarctica Tanzania New Zealand Beach cleanupBeach cleanupPhilippinesPhilippinesVenezuelaVenezuela Antarctica Tanzania New Zealand Beach cleanupBeach cleanupPhilippinesPhilippinesAntarcticaAntarctica Tanzania New Zealand

Hawaii

United States

CanadaEngland Sweden

Japan

Philippines

China

Venezuela

Slide: Dr.Richard Thompson

Citarum River - West Java, IndonesiaCitarum River - West Java, Indonesia Approximately200,000

synthetic chemicals

introduced in the 50 last years…

Approximately200,000

synthetic chemicals

introduced in the 50 last years…Plastics both

absorb and leachchemicals

Plastics both absorb and leach

chemicals

Plastics are entering the pelagic food webPlastics are entering the pelagic food web

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We are at the top of the food web

Dan Linehan

Plastic in your sushi?

17 pieces of plastic in the stomach of a fish caught in the middle of the Pacific.

Plastics leach the chemicals they are made of…Plastics leach the chemicals they are made of…

1) Bisphenol A - plastics hardener-Found in urine of 95% of U.S. population. Links to breast cancer, obesity, mood disorders. (EWG)

1) Bisphenol A - plastics hardener-Found in urine of 95% of U.S. population. Links to breast cancer, obesity, mood disorders. (EWG)

2) Phthalates - plastics softeners -Links to reduced sperm count, prostate cancer, obesity, ADHD. (CDC)

2) Phthalates - plastics softeners -Links to reduced sperm count, prostate cancer, obesity, ADHD. (CDC)

These chemicals, known as

hormone mimickers,disrupt the

Endocrine System.

These chemicals, known as

hormone mimickers,disrupt the

Endocrine System.

These are chemicals used in plastic production, and are harmful to human health.

These are chemicals used in plastic production, and are harmful to human health.

The burden of proof of toxicity is on the consumer, NOT the producer.

The burden of proof of toxicity is on the consumer, NOT the producer.

Many additives in plastic manufacturing are “proprietary” & companies are not required to disclose them.

Many additives in plastic manufacturing are “proprietary” & companies are not required to disclose them.

- DEHP di 2 ethylhexanoldiester of phthalic acid, one e.g.- Mimics estrogen, i.e. “endocrine disruptor” - DEHP di 2 ethylhexanoldiester of phthalic acid, one e.g.- Mimics estrogen, i.e. “endocrine disruptor”

Phthalates

- EU banned phthalates in cosmetics in 2004- EU banned DEHP in children’s toys in 2004- CA listed DEHP as a ‘reproductive toxin’ in 2003

Puerto Rico- Highest known level of premature breast development in world.Puerto Rico- Highest known level of premature breast development in world.

BPA Bans - Chicago, Connecticut, Minnesota, Washington, Canada, France, Denmark, others in EU adopting.Walmart and CVS voluntarily removed BPA products aimed at children from shelves

BPA Bans - Chicago, Connecticut, Minnesota, Washington, Canada, France, Denmark, others in EU adopting.Walmart and CVS voluntarily removed BPA products aimed at children from shelves

Phthalates restrictions(e.g. DEHP, BBP, etc) -

E.U. - in children’s toys since 1999 and cosmetics since 2004.

U.S. - in children’s toys since 2009.

Phthalates restrictions(e.g. DEHP, BBP, etc) -

E.U. - in children’s toys since 1999 and cosmetics since 2004.

U.S. - in children’s toys since 2009.

Labels advertising “BPA FREE” tell you what is not in them.

They don’t tell you what is. Other “proprietary” chemicals can take their place.

Labels advertising “BPA FREE” tell you what is not in them.

They don’t tell you what is. Other “proprietary” chemicals can take their place.

Ad from the American Chemistry CouncilAd from the American Chemistry Council

2008 - SB 1713 - ban BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups and other baby food & beverage containers.

2008 - SB 1713 - ban BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups and other baby food & beverage containers.

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ACC and media misconceptions about plasticACC and media misconceptions about plastic

• Plastics are safe.• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch does not exist.• Plastics don't kill sea life or pose a threat to people

eating fish.• It shouldn't be called "plastic pollution" but rather

"marine debris.”• "Plastic retail carry-out bags are 100-percent

recyclable and made from clean natural gas.”• Reusable bags are dangerous.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/154279/7_dangerous_lies_about_plastic/?page=entirehttp://www.alternet.org/environment/154279/7_dangerous_lies_about_plastic/?page=entire

Solutions?Solutions?

Think globally, act individually - adopt a 1/4 block -pick up trash near your house (especially on garbage day). Think One Less Piece…

Think globally, act individually - adopt a 1/4 block -pick up trash near your house (especially on garbage day). Think One Less Piece…

What can we do?What can we do?

Participate in a beach cleanupParticipate in a beach cleanup

What can we do?What can we do?

Coastal Cleanup Day (3rd Saturday Sept.), July 5Coastal Cleanup Day (3rd Saturday Sept.), July 5

Write a letter to a company about their product and ask for more responsible packaging or ingredients.

Write a letter to a company about their product and ask for more responsible packaging or ingredients.

soapchixsoapchix

What can we do?What can we do?

Take personal actionTake personal action

Get involved in current local policyGet involved in current local policyhttp://www.saveourshores.org/http://www.saveourshores.org/

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Support local plastic and bag bansSupport local plastic and bag bans

RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLING plasticdoes not work RECYCLING plasticdoes not work “Recycled” plastic is often shipped overseas and stored, or burned.

“Recycled” plastic is often shipped overseas and stored, or burned.

Virgin plastic is 1,000’s of times less expensive to make.

Virgin plastic is 1,000’s of times less expensive to make.

At best, plastic can be “downcycled”. This will eventually become landfill.

At best, plastic can be “downcycled”. This will eventually become landfill.

Plastic Generation and RecoveryPlastic Generation and Recovery100 Bottles = 1 Fleece Jacket100 Bottles = 1 Fleece Jacket

CIWMBCIWMB

What can we do?What can we do? MicroplasticsMicroplastics

What about bioplastics?What about bioplastics?

• Usually made from renewable source material, but the end product is plastic. (If it has a number, it’s plastic)

• Often contain similar harmful additives in manufacturing.• Can be made from organic renewable source, and still be

harmful to the environment.• Take just as long to break down in the ocean.• There is currently no stringent, universal standard for the

production definition of “biodegradable, or compostable”.• Often requires industrial composter which most

municipalities do not have.

EU/EN 13432 certified“OK Compost HOME”(Use with caution)

EU/EN 13432 certified“OK Compost HOME”(Use with caution)

So, what does that leave us?So, what does that leave us?A change of habitA change of habit

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Live with less plasticLive with less plastic

Do a plastics audit in your home or business, see where you can cut back (e.g. bar soap vs liquid soap). Do a plastics audit in your home or business, see where you can cut back (e.g. bar soap vs liquid soap).

REDUCEREDUCEWhat can we do?What can we do?

BYO bag BYO mug BYO to-go container BYO H2O!BYO bag BYO mug BYO to-go container BYO H2O!

Tiffin Lunch Box

Tiffin Lunch Box

REFUSE Choose alternatives to single/limited use plasticsREFUSE Choose alternatives to single/limited use plastics

What can we do?What can we do?

“Now packaged with less plastic.”SanDisc Memory Card at Costco

“Now packaged with less plastic.”SanDisc Memory Card at Costco

You must be the change

you wish to see in the world.

You must be the change

you wish to see in the world.

- Gandhi -- Gandhi -

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed

citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the

only thing that ever has.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed

citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the

only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead-- Margaret Mead-

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SurfriderFoundation

Monterey Chapter

SurfriderFoundation

Monterey Chapter

This image cannot currently be displayed.This image cannot currently be displayed.

Use Agreement (June, 2010)

•This material may be viewed and displayed for educational use only.

•Content may be copyrighted and/or owned by individuals and entities other than, and in addition to, Surfrider Foundation Monterey Chapter and NOAA.

•BWET MDCOP participant, educators and students may incorporate these materials into their lesson plans, presentations, and worksheet in hard copy and digital format for internal educational use only.

•No organization or person (whether an educational body or not) may incorporate this material into any media for promotional or commercial purpose whatsoever.

•For further information and questions please contact Ximena Waissbluth at xw@surfrider.org

Use Agreement (June, 2010)

•This material may be viewed and displayed for educational use only.

•Content may be copyrighted and/or owned by individuals and entities other than, and in addition to, Surfrider Foundation Monterey Chapter and NOAA.

•BWET MDCOP participant, educators and students may incorporate these materials into their lesson plans, presentations, and worksheet in hard copy and digital format for internal educational use only.

•No organization or person (whether an educational body or not) may incorporate this material into any media for promotional or commercial purpose whatsoever.

•For further information and questions please contact Ximena Waissbluth at xw@surfrider.org