The case against straws
Most of us know that single-use plastics are a major problem which contributes greatly to marine pollution. But often times we feel powerless to help. Where do we even begin?
Most of us know that single-use plastics are a major problem which contributes greatly to marine pollution. But often times we feel powerless to help. Where do we even begin?
Picture a predator with four eyes, two pincer-like claws, and a set of sharp jaws. Its body is transparent, allowing it to blend fully into its surroundings. Its home is transparent too – providing protection while also allowing the creature to stalk its prey from within.
A draft Threat Management Plan (TMP) for the nationally critical New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka is open for public feedback. Have you say before it’s too late.
Eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, that’s one tonne every four minutes. At current rates plastic is set to outweigh the amount of fish in the ocean by 2050, coincidently the same year that scientists predict all sea birds will contain plastic.
Although tropical coral reefs don’t line New Zealand’s coasts it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about news of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and in particular the newest wave of coral bleaching to hit the area.
Plastics made from plants have been around since the late 1800’s, but have only recently become widely used – generally in the form of a plastic called polylactic acid, or PLA.
The Government is seeking views on a new approach to marine protection in New Zealand. Make a submission now and help protect our oceans.
Leading a plastic-free life – or making steps in that direction – doesn’t come easy. If you want to reduce your plastic consumption you have to do your homework: read labels, do research, ask questions, and take steps in the right direction.
Recycling is a feel-good activity. Most of us do our best to make sure our plastic waste gets into the recycling bin and is therefore saved from entering our landfills. Right? Not always…
In mid-July the Government announced a new $1.2 million initiative to create a facility in New Zealand capable of recycling soft plastics. Currently, plastic shopping bags and other soft plastics are not recyclable in NZ. That means nearly all of the 1.4 billion grocery bags used annually in our country end up in a landfill or worse, in our environment.