I watched Plastic Oceans on Netflix and was horrified. I did not know how serious and out of control plastic in our Oceans. The microbeads are the size of krill, we MUST stop this!

We pick up trash on our local San Diego beach 3-4 times a week during our power walks. First of all, it amazes me how many people walk by large pieces of trash without bending over to pick it up. Some days we have so much trash in our hands we can’t pick up another piece until we dump it in the trash cans, other days, not a single piece. The top 4 types of trash collected: plastic water bottle caps, plastic straws, pieces of cellophane packaging, plastic bags.

@CindyFrancine @DianeN56 @GroovyGrapevine @ItStartsWith_Me This plastic comes from out in the ocean and washes up on the shore. It’s not that there are so many people littering at that beach, but it’s accumulated from all the plastic that runs off land… from the U.S., Japan, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROW9F-c0kIQ

I never knew the problem was this out of control!!! http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/

wow…just did a google search on plastic in the ocean…. a quote from one page: The Marine Conservancy has published that the estimated decomposition rates of most plastic debris found on coasts are:
Foamed plastic cups: 50 years
Plastic beverage holder: 400 years
Disposable diapers: 450 year
Plastic bottle: 450
Fishing line: 600 years.

On Oahu, it gets burned. And then there is toxic ash to deal with. But better than having it wash back into the ocean. Marcus Eriksen says, “If you want to clean the ocean, clean your beach.” Also, these beach cleanups are mostly about awareness for the volunteers who show up to do them. It’s important for them to see the problem for themselves.

but….where does all the plastic that never goes away GO after you pick it up????

went with my grand daughter to an east side beach a few years ago with the idea of making christmas ornaments from trash…was not prepared for the enormous amount of plastic and other refuse. I had lived in Hi. 10 years previously and rarely saw plastic on the beaches. It is stunning how much of it there is now! Kudos to Kokua Fndn.

DianeN56 GroovyGrapevine ItStartsWith_Me PlasticfreeBeth i cannot believe people litter like this! Here i always c diapers, Terrible

Feel so sad and shocked and angered to see the photos. Its great that there are people beginning to take action though. Its great that you could be there and educate and inspire people. I know the feeling trying to pick up microplastics in the sand – it never ends.

I absolutely support your efforts well done , dont give up it is important work just keep fighting

I’ve always thought of filters being used to keep debris from getting into the natural water supply.
It’s proof of how bad things have become that now it would make sense to have filters to keep debris in the natural water supply (the ocean) from coming on to the beaches.
BTW – I happened across and excellent <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS28ZmWTOwc”>National Geographic video</a> about the huge landfill used for the LA area called Puente Hills. Everyone who throws anything in the trash (don’t we all?) should take a look.

Beth, the photos are so depressing, we have to be the change.

Blessings on you Beth for educating us and cleaning up the plastic.. Oh how I wish I could be there helping. It’s so distressing to see this in the islands, or anywhere. Keep up the excellent work. You do make a huge difference.

I wonder how much of that is debris from the tsunami in Japan a few years ago? But I do agree. We need to get away from plastic. It is bad. Human kind lived hundreds of years without it and did just fine. Why do we have such a dependence on it now? This inspires me to do and be better.