I have begun a group here in Portland to try to keep trash out of the ocean right here beside us. So far, 'Beans to Beaches' has been very successful and well attended. It really says something about a person when they are willing to give up precious weekend hours to walk in the heat and bend over repeatedly to pick up grimy trash left by god-knows-who and containing who-knows-what!
We have had 2 sessions so far, the most recent being a post July 4th clean- up. We have found plastic bags, which sea creatures often mistake for jellyfish and digest. We have found plastic 6-pack rings, a huge hazard for sea-life entanglement. We have found tiny plastic pieces and thousands of cigarette filters; both easily ingested by our underwater friends. All of these things, along with microscopic plastics such as microbeads from exfoliant scrubs, are items that fill the bellies of wildlife, often filling to the point that the animals starve as they are not able to get nutrition.
Single use plastics- I could go on all day! Yesterday we saw 4 folks walking, plastic water bottle and iced coffee cup in hand. Each of them had 2 beverages in single use plastic. That means, after 30 minutes or so of use, 8 plastic items are being added to the waste stream and these never go away. Even if they are responsible and throw it away, or even put it in recycling, shit happens and they can still end up in the ocean. I want to shout it from the rooftops- use a reusable water bottle at least. Don't buy water from Fiji. Think about that plastic fork you use for 2 seconds.
As for fireworks, well....I have blissfully watched many times and I think that it is a fun way to celebrate. After seeing the aftermath, I fear I will never feel that joy again. Wood, plastic, foil, rope all scattered all over the path right next to the harbor. And I am certain that most of it must have ended up in the harbor. Let alone the renegade boat I saw that night, launching them right off board as it traveled forth along the shoreline. Straight into the water. Straight into their home that we have used as a free dumping ground for years upon years. Out of sight, out of mind. Now that I am seeing it, it is the only thing in my mind. The shit we let fly into their- our- environment is inexcusable. Gross.
Please consider joining us for this beach clean-up next time around. We meet at Arabica on Commercial Street and walk from there, cleaning the path on our way to the beach. It is always fun and meaningful conversation as we do something to help the oceans and one another.
Stay tuned for more fireworks statistics and information on what you can do everyday to help.
Follow my group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortheoceans
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