Comments on: Visiting a Plastic Paradise

By: Steph @ Greening Families

Steph @ Greening Families — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:18:05 +0000

Yuck - the up close photos make me nauseous. My kids love to pick up trash (which somehow does not translate into picking up their toys) and we are always shocked by how much of what we pick up is plastic.

Thanks so much for continuing to draw attention to this issue.

By: Crunchy Domestic Goddess

Crunchy Domestic Goddess — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:05:51 +0000

wow, what a beautiful place being marred by all of the trash. :( it's especially sad about all of the plastic washing up on shore. despite all of this, hope u had a good trip.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:34:05 +0000

So true – we took a trip to Puerto Rico earlier in the year and we chartered a boat to sail out to an Island which is uninhabited and a park reserve – anyways, there was plastic litter all in the brush that was just off of the beach.
Also, litter all through the beach, bottle caps, straws, ect..
It is very saddening, I agree.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:58:28 +0000

More on plastics in the ocean:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/08/plasticoceans/

By: monkeyjen

monkeyjen — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:43:35 +0000

Great post, Beth. Even on my 'vaca' to NJ, I remembered to bring my reusable bags and metal water bottle. I have asked people in the airport food court to fill up the bottle and had no problems. I think we just, idvidually, need to make it a habit to be prepared. It will vatch on. All the cool kids are doing it ;-)

By: kersbak

kersbak — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:43:21 +0000

I completely agree that people in Hawaii are addicted to plastic. I just moved to Oahu in January and since then I have spent much of my time attempting to educate my roommates and grocery store clerks about the problem with plastic bags. Especially in a place like Hawaii, where environmental stewardship should be a top priority, the harsh reality is that most residents either do not care or do not know about the issues impacting their island home. We all need to do our part to make sure this place stays as beautiful and clean as possible. Limiting plastics from our "diet" seems a good way to start.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:21:24 +0000

I found the same thing in the Bahamas. I was shocked that the thing that attracts people there (the beaches & water) and sustains their small economy (tourism) was treated with such little regard. Once you got past the small part of the beach that the resort 'maintained' there was all kinds of trash everywhere! It made me really sad and aware of everything that was disposed of on that trip.

By: Lisa Sharp

Lisa Sharp — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:56:42 +0000

Wow Beth how sad!!

I speak up, I don't eat out much because I'm deathly allergic to mushrooms so I can't eat anywhere that serves them until I trust the staff. This means in my hometown I only have one place I eat out and it's a small family owned Italian restaurant. I know the staff very well (they are all on my facebook lol) and they know my allergy and they are learning my eco rules lol.

We always sit in the bar and I ask for no straw in my drink and bring glass straws. It's funny because they all know them now and if they forget and put a straw in my glass they quickly take it out and say "oh crap I forgot." :) I don't worry to much about those times they are trying and that's what matters. :) I love those kinds of places for that reason.

I think that the times when we can ask for no ____ or whatever is a good chance to educate people that don't know a different.

Even in the local recycling coalition most bring their lunches with lots of waste and I bring mine waste-free. They have started asking questions and more are bring reusable containers now. :)

By: Green In OC

Green In OC — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:38:11 +0000

Don't ever be embarrassed to ask, I agree the more of us that ask might change what they order next time.

I have also come to realize that small restauranteurs don't seem to know that options are available. I always refer them to www.worldcentric.org

Just in case you aren't convinced that you should never be embarrassed to ask, here's a reminder as to why you should ALWAYS ask and NEVER assume!

By: Kim from Milwaukee

Kim from Milwaukee — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:35:02 +0000

I'm so with you, Beth. Americans are known by the rest of the world as litterbugs. I wish we could change that rep and become the people who are responsible for picking up after ourselves and leaving a place cleaner than it was before we got there.

It's all about convenience, it seems. I had every intention to go to the Renaissance Faire this year and bring my own cup, plate and napkin. But I didn't. I did, however, email the Faire to ask them if I could help bring about a 'trash-free' Faire for future events. I'm sure they think I'm crazy, but someone's gotta be, right?

You're my hero.