Don't Trash Central Virginia

The most common types of marine debris is consumer debris or post-consumer waste. Consumer debris is single-use, typically plastic items. that were used and discarded by consumers. This includes cigarette buds, balloons, straws, food utensils, and food wrappers. As the production of single-use plastics continues to rise, scientists worry about the impacts that they will have on the environment and human health. By switching to reusable alternatives we can decrease the amounts of consumer debris that we create every day. Instead of using plastic utensils carry reusable bamboo utensils with you to work, school, and play. Choose to use sustainable celebratory items instead of balloons such as bubbles, petals, or leaves. By shifting away from single-use plastics we can decrease the amount of everyday waste that enters our oceans.

Despite what their name might suggest, microplastics are a large threat to marine ecosystem health. Microplastics are microscopic pieces of plastics less than 5 millimeters small, that are smaller than the size of a pencil’s eraser. Microplastics can be made directly such as microbeads in cleaning products or can be broken down from larger items like Styrofoam.

Microplastics can be found in everyday items; personal care items, cleaning supplies, car emissions, clothes, and plastic bags. Switching out plastic for more sustainable alternatives (bamboo, metal) can lower the amounts of microplastics that break off into our ocean.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes many of the items that we would relate to our COVID-19 and disease safety such as disposable masks, wipes, and plastic gloves. These items are vital to our everyday life both as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and general medical safety. The abundance of these items and their improper disposal have resulted in large amounts of litter accumulating in our communities and in the ocean. Make sure that you always dispose of these items properly and look into companies like TerraCycle to recycle these items.

Source: Telegraph UK

Derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels add to marine debris. Derelict fishing gear can include any fishing gears (lines, nets, poles, etc.) that get tossed off of boats and into the oceans. These materials can be mistaken for food and can entangle or get eaten by marine animals. Abandoned vessels can originate from severe storm events or natural disasters. They can be considered hazardous, causing navigational hazards and affecting coastal habitats.