Cleaning up the Ocean!

Dan the Dolphin

Hi there! My name is Dan the Dolphin. If you've ever been to the beach you may have seen me swimming in the water. The ocean can be a fun place to live, but sometimes bad things like trash from humans makes its way into the water. When this happens, it is called marine pollution. Marine pollution includes things like plastics, oil, sewage, chemicals, and many other harmful materials (3). These things hurt my sea creature friends and I when swimming about and catching food. But don't worry, there are many things that you can do to help clean up my home.

How to Help

One way you can help save my friends and I is by using reusable plastics. A reusable plastic is something you can use more than once such as: non-plastic grocery bags, Metal utensils, Metal or glass water bottles, reusable coffee cups, and many more items you can use over and over again! (1) By using these reusable plastics, you are helping keep one use items like straws, plastic grocery bags, take-out food containers, and soda bottles out of the beautiful ocean.

Green Recycling Bin

Have you ever heard about recycling? Recycling means using things that have already been used to make something else (4). For example, if you drink water out of a plastic bottle and recycle it, it could be turned into a toy, shoes, bags and even clothing (2). Recycling not only helps clean up the ocean, it helps clean up the whole earth! Next time you want to throw out an empty bottle or even a piece of paper, look for a green recycling bin and toss it in! It will make my ocean friends and I very happy.

Another way you can help save the ocean is by participating in a beach or river clean up! Get a group of your friends and family, head to the beach and pick up wastes you find on the shore line (1). There are even clubs and organizations you can join that allow you to make friends and help clean up the ocean. Helping clean the ocean this way will make you and your friends feel like a superstar. It is so rewarding to help save all of the amazing marine creatures, so go out and help in your free time. 

Microbeads in toothpaste

When you think of marine pollution you think of big plastic bottle or candy wrappers, but there is actually pollution that the eye cannot see. These tiny bits of plastics are called "microbeads" (1). They can be found in different types of toothpaste, face wash, body wash and other things (1). These microbeads enter the ocean through sewer systems and cause harm to my friends and I. The best way to keep these out of my ocean home is by not using them at all. Next time you are at the store with your parent, ask them to check the label of the product to see if microbeads are included. If they are maybe try suggesting another type of soap or toothpaste!


Well, I hope I was able to help you get started on your journey of helping clean up the ocean! Remember there are still so many things you can do to help your ocean friends stay safe and healthy. Until next time my friend!



References 

Dolphin Cartoon [photograph]. (2013). Retrieved from: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-cute-dolphin-cartoon-waving-illustration-image33238254

(1) Hutchinson, B., 7 ways to reduce ocean plastic. Ocean Society. Retrieved from: https://www.oceanicsociety.org/blog/1720/7-ways-to-reduce-ocean-plastic-pollution-today

(2) Kane, C. (2016, September 16). 6 new products made from old plastic bottles. Time. Retrieved from: http://time.com/money/4489474/recycled-plastic-bottles-new-products/ 

(3) National Geographic. (2010, April 27). marine pollution. Retrieved from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/oceans/critical-issues-marine-pollution/

(4) Recycle. Recycle kids go green. Retrieved from: https://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/kidsgogreen/info-zone/tips-fighting-waste/recycle

Recycling bin [photograph]. (2018). Retrieved from: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-Commercial-Products-Slim-Jim-23-Gal-Green-Recycling-Bin-with-Venting-Channels-FG354007GRN/202649205