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Recycling to protect our reefs
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Posted on Mar 26 2008
The more we recycle, the less garbage will reach the ocean and use less of the earth’s resources.
Ocean pollution is harmful to marine life and our coral reefs.
Many household waste products can be recycled: bottles, cans, clothing, plastics, paper, glass, metal, garden refuse, building debris and other waste materials.
Not only can we protect our reefs by recycling, we can also adopt pollution prevention strategies that produce less waste in the first place. Ways to produce less waste include reusing materials, using reusable items rather than disposable ones, and reducing the amount of packaging we use.
We can also take steps to keep waste from getting into the ocean. Most importantly, littering should be prevented. Boaters and beach-goers should ensure that trash and other items are not blown or washed away. Before trash is left out for collection, it should be tightly secured in bags or trash cans to ensure that trash stays in its proper place.
Garbage in our marine environment can last a long time. Here’s a list of some household items and their timeline:
-Cardboard: 2 weeks
-Newspaper: 6 weeks
-Apple Core: 2 months
-Plywood: 1-3 years
-Cigarette Butts: 5-15 years
-Tin Cans: 50 years
-Styrofoam: 50 years
-Aluminum Cans: 200 years
-6-pack Rings: 400 years
-Plastics: 450 years
Remember, reusing, recycling or composting waste materials is always the ideal option.
Reefs enrich our health, our wealth, our lives. Every Act Counts. (CoCo)
