Plastic Beach: Why You Should Pick Up Plastic Litter

Plastic pollution has entered the fossil record. Every plastic ever manufactured still exists somewhere.

In 1950, the world only produced 2 million tons of plastic every year. Today, plastic manufacturing has increased 200-fold. This means that our planet houses more than 11 billion tons of plastic that won’t decompose but threaten the ecosystem.

Though all this plastic might seem daunting, curtailing plastic waste is possible. Simple actions like picking up litter or buying eco-friendly reusable bags can help make a change.

Here’s why you should pick up litter.

Reason #1: You’ll Protect the Oceans and Marine Animals

Picking up plastic litter on the beaches or off the street might seem futile, but it can help protect marine wildlife. That’s because when we litter, wind currents and rain carry those pieces of plastics to great distances. They get into storm drains, canals, streams, and rivers. As a result, plastic enters the waterways and ends up as marine debris. There’s a garbage patch made of plastic debris in the North Pacific Ocean.

All this plastic won’t naturally decompose but degrade into microplastics. Marine animals ingest plastic and microplastics that are harmful to their health.

Reason #2: You’ll Help Curb the Production of Greenhouse Gases

We already discussed that littered plastic products end up in oceans (and landfills) where they degrade into microplastics. However, there’s more to it. Sunlight and heat cause plastic to release greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which creates a perpetuating cycle resulting in global warming.    

When you pick up even a little plastic litter off the streets, you ensure they don’t end up in landfills and oceans to degrade.

Reason #3: You Set a Good Example

Humans are social beings, it’s why they’re likely to follow a leader or a group. When you walk the walk, you display a set of behaviors that can inspire others to follow your lead. In this way, you can encourage them to be more responsible about their waste disposal.

When you’re picking up litter, ensure to store it in a cotton reusable shopping bag.

When it comes to durable, practical, and eco-friendly reusable bags, consider Sammy Shopping Bags‘ products.

Here at Sammy Shopping Bags, we offer eco-friendly and sustainable bags manufactured from high-quality 100% organic cotton. This makes all of our compartment multi-purpose shopping bags fully recyclable and biodegradable.

Visit our website to shop our reusable shopping bags today or contact us now to know more.