Stash the Trash!

How you can help clean up your beaches and reefs...

For years we've known that we must get a handle on trash pollution...and we've made great strides. Many have heard about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a swirling seascape of plastic and rubbish in the Pacific roughly the size of Texas, but few realize that a similar phenomena has been discovered in the Atlantic as well. Indeed, garbage, especially plastic, pollution is a global issue which calls every last person to action.

While it is exceedingly difficult to repair the damage done by decades of negligence, progress can be made in the area of prevention. And best of all, it all starts with you!

  • NO MORE BOTTLES! Utilizing BPA-free, recycled, polycarbonate containers - like Nalgene bottles, for example - is a wonderful change for two reasons. First, by simply refilling a container rather than buying a new bottle of water to quench your thirst, you're not producing trash. Secondly, the transition to reusable BPA-free containers may decrease risks of breast cancer, obesity, brain developmental effects in infants and children, heart disease, and diabetes as compared to traditional disposable plastics.
  • PAPER OR PLASTIC? NEITHER! Bringing your own reusable bags when you go shopping is a great step. Do you really need to have 20 double-plastic-bagged sacks of groceries? While you're at it, bring on of these bags with you to the beach to hold your trash until you find a garbage can and reduce the chance of that bag of chips riding the wind right into the ocean!
  • NO MORE BAGS! Rather than stuffing that turkey-and-swiss sandwich in a plastic bag, invest in a few pieces of BPA-free tupperware. Not only will you crush-proof your lunch and mitigate the health risks of traditional plastics, but you'll save money and reduce trash as well!
You can help! You can help!
  • GET ACTIVE AND ORGANIZE! Here on St. Croix, in your hometown, and all over the world, there are groups out there hosting beach, reef, river, and highway cleanups. Gather up the family and donate a a few hours one Saturday. You'll feel great, reinforce some great values in kids and family members, maybe meet a few friends, and best of all, you'll be giving the environment a helping hand, preserving it for future enjoyment.

Keep an eye out for announcements, as Sweet Bottom tries to host Beach and Reef cleanups as often as possible and we'd love to have you along!

 

For that matter, why not make EVERY dive or snorkel a cleanup effort? We do! Just bring a small bag along and if you see garbage, fishing line, etc. pick it up and pitch it in an appropriate recepticle later. Stash the Trash!