7 Recycling Tips in Honor of World Oceans Day

Image by SF Brit / Creative Commons

Friday, June 8th is World Oceans Day. Although only one day a year is officially set aside for celebrating and honoring our world’s oceans, there are steps that each of us can and should be taking every day to help protect and preserve the integrity of the oceans and the life it supports. On that note, here are 7 recycling tips to get you on your way:

1 – First step is to get yourself educated. Learn about all the different items that can be recycled and find out how and where you can recycle them.

2 – Set up a designated recycling bin in your home. You and your family will be more likely to recycle items if you have a bin for recyclables. Even the kids will quickly learn what to recycle.

3 – When you are out and about, be sure your trash and recyclables make it into the proper bins so that none of them end up on the ground, in the local lake or river, on the beach, in the ocean or anywhere else in nature.

4 – Invest in a reusable water bottle. Why waste money on a plastic water bottle when you can buy a reusable water bottle that you can fill up anytime you need it. They are easy to take with you and will save a lot of time, money and plastic waste.

5 – Cut down on “single use” items. No more plastic utensils, paper plates, straws, plastic bags, and other items. A prime example is the single wrapped food item, such as cheese slices. You’ll save a lot of plastic when you buy a block of cheese and slice it yourself.

6 – When you go out to the park, on a picnic, hiking or any other outdoor activity, be sure to follow the “leave no trace” motto and pick up after yourself. By packing your own reusable containers you will have less waste and it will be less work all around.

7 – Participate in or organize an aquatic clean up event at your local beach, lake, or waterfront. This is a great way to get involved, with the community, to help keep the oceans and water clean. You should also rally to get permanent recycling containers set up (if they don’t already exist).

Remember, our oceans may seem vast and without end at times, but in reality, if you put all the Earth’s water into one place, it would look like this.

For those of you who want to take extra steps towards helping protect our oceans, you can download the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch app so you know which restaurants serve ocean-friendly seafood and sushi.

Then make the seven C’s pledge for ocean conservation. Commit to making a real difference, conserve in your own home, be a conscious consumer, communicate your concerns and interests, challenge yourself on a daily basis, connect with your local community and celebrate the oceans!

Last but not least, wear blue this Friday to show your support for World Oceans Day and at your earliest convenience, visit the ocean (or your local lake) to help remind yourself why you recycle and take the steps you take to help protect the oceans and Earth itself.