We all know that plastic has a negative impact on our environment, but exactly how harmful is it to throw away a single-use plastic straw or plastic bag? Studies have shown that roughly nine million tons of plastic from land\u00a0(yes, you read that right) end up in the ocean every year. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to a dump truck full of plastic every minute. Pretty crazy, right?<\/p>\n
Below we’re sharing five additional facts you probably didn’t know about plastic waste:<\/p>\n
Ocean life has ingested tons of plastic Single-use plastic straws are one of the main offenders Straws don’t biodegrade There might be more plastic in the ocean than fish
\n<\/strong>To be exact, an estimated 71 percent of seabirds and 30 percent of turtles have been found with plastic in their stomachs — and it’s often fatal.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Surprisingly enough, single-use plastic straws are one of the most common items found during beach cleanups. It doesn\u2019t help that straws often can\u2019t be recycled. However, it’s one of the easiest changes you can make in your everyday life. Join Wildlife Conservation Society<\/a> and make a pledge at giveasip.us<\/a>\u00a0to give up single-use straws and receive a complimentary metal straw.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Plastic straws break up into smaller and smaller pieces in the ocean, which lingers for years in the water and makes it easier for ocean life to ingest.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>At the rate our world is polluting, there may potentially be more plastic in the ocean by weight than fish by 2050.<\/p>\n