Plastic Ocean

[Snkr]

I am starting this thread in hopes it can start us as boat owners thinking about the massive amounts of plastic floating around the pacific, and maybe away we can as boat owners do something positive to clean up our sailing grounds.
I know it mostly comes from the land, however, we should start at least trying to do something, I think?!

[Jerry Woodward]

I recommend checking out the 5 Gyres Institute:
See Global Research | 5 Gyres - Understanding Plastic Pollution Through Exploration, Education, and Action

They are a great source of information with links to original research articles. They also have ways for cruisers to get involved. For example, they will loan "travel trawls" to tow behind your sailboat to help accumulate data for the amount of plastic in the water in your area.

[Celestialsailor]

You can start by not drinking bottled water. Or at least use refillable bottles. It creates mountains of plastic.

[ReMetau]

Originally Posted by Snkr

I am starting this thread in hopes it can start us as boat owners thinking about the massive amounts of plastic floating around the pacific, and maybe away we can as boat owners do something positive to clean up our sailing grounds.
I know it mostly comes from the land, however, we should start at least trying to do something, I think?!

What is that you suggest?

We already pick up floating trash on the beaches and run off from the roads in our current marina.

We use refillable stainless steel bottles for our drinking water needs. We try to encourage others to dive up the "bottled water" is better. We refuse straws at restaurants. We use canvas shopping bags if we need a bag at all. Unfortunately most land dwellers just don't give a crap. If we can change that, then we can really make a change.

[jackdale]

I came through the Pacific gyre for the third time this summer. It was the worst I have seen. Some, like a piece of a dock, was clearly tsunami debris but there lots of pieces of Styrofoam. We also saw plastic containers of various shapes and sizes. I understand that most of the plastic particles are just below the surface.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

You can start by not drinking bottled water. Or at least use refillable bottles. It creates mountains of plastic.

Plastic bottles can be recycled. I personally do not use bottled water, but all plastic, glass, and metal containers as well as in our household are recycled. Some have deposits are are refundable when recycled. Juice tetrapaks and milk containers are among those items with deposits.

On most boats I drink the tank water with added sport drink crystals.