- Tangaroa Blue – 10 Tips On How We Can Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution -
- Sustainable Jewellery Australia -
At KaiKoa Designs we choose to support an environmental organisation that is close to our hearts. As an Australian sustainable jewellery brand, we are inspired by the ocean and we want to give back to nature.
We have chosen to donate 5% of our profits to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation. This is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to the removal and prevention of marine debris. Tangaroa Blue has created the Australia Marine Debris Initiative which is an on the ground network of volunteers and organisations that contribute data to a central database. The initiative also works at finding solutions that stop the flow of pollution and litter at the source.
Marine debris is devastating the marine environment and it is estimated that up to 40,000 pieces of plastic float in every square kilometer of the ocean. Of debris collected on Australian beaches over 75% of it is made of plastic. With over 8 million tons of plastic entering the ocean every year, you can understand why marine pollution is a major environmental issue both in Australia and worldwide. Tangaroa Blue hosts beach clean-up and you can view their event calendar to get involved.
We love to support Tangaroa Blue because this organisation is not just cleaning up marine plastic pollution, but they also focus on solutions to plastic pollution. They are tackling the issues head-on by stopping the flow of rubbish into the ocean and working to reduce the amount of waste produced.- 10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution -
1. Reduce your use of single-use plastics
Not using any single-use plastics is a hard thing to do in our modern society. However, reducing your usage of these plastics can drastically reduce your plastic consumption. Did you know that 90% of the plastic that we commonly use is only used once and then thrown away? This includes common items such as straws, shopping bags, coffee cups, disposable cutlery and cling wrap. If you find yourself using an item regularly why not purchase a reusable and eco-friendly product instead so that you can reduce your plastic consumption. At KaiKoa Designs we only ship our ethical jewellery in recyclable or compostable packaging. You can make sure that we reduce our plastic consumption as much as possible.
2. Support organisations
Please support the work of organisations like Tangaroa Blue, who are on the front line of the ocean plastic crisis and need your help. You can support these causes by donating a gift, participating in an organised event, or cleaning up the beaches you visit. When shopping, keep an eye out for companies that offer a percentage of their profits to go to these amazing causes, so that you can feel good about who you are supporting.
3. Vote!
Voting in elections for parties with green policies is how systemic change can be implemented. Support legislation that reduces both the reduction and consumption of plastic. It is important for individuals to make changes however for large scale change to be truly effective legislation and political change need to be implemented.
4. Do not buy bottled water
It is devastating to find out that 20 billion (yes BILLION!) plastic bottles are tossed in the rubbish every year. We are talking about a material that can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Each bottle releases dangerous chemicals into our environment along the way as it decomposes. By simply carrying a reusable water bottle, you can contribute to cutting down that number and the environmental impact, one bottle at a time.
5. Cook your own food
Not only is cooking your own meals often healthier and cheaper, but it also means that it won’t be necessary for take away containers to be used. If you choose to get takeaway why not ask if you can bring in your own containers for the meal instead of receiving a single-use container. If you end up with a single-use plastic container simply use it again. These containers are perfect for leftovers or for giving food to your friends.
6. Shop second-hand
No matter what you are wanting to purchase you can probably find it second-hand. You will not only save money but also reduce the rubbish. Our favourite online marketplaces for second-hand goods are your local op shop, Facebook Marketplace and Depop (for clothing and shoes).
7. Recycle
This one may seem obvious and if you are reading this you most likely already recycle. However, are you recycling correctly? The rules of recycling, unfortunately, change depending on which council area you live in. We recommend visiting your local councils' website and reviewing what you can and cannot recycle. You may be surprised to find additional items that you can recycle that you didn’t know of. Also, you can recycle your soft plastics at supermarkets through REDcycle.
8. Buy in bulk
If you are purchasing food items try and buy them in the largest size possible. Please don’t waste food so always only buy what you will consume. But for example why purchase single individual yoghurts when you could purchase a larger tub? If you need to decanter the food you can use containers or stasher bags to make a smaller portion.
9. Be vocal
If you see an organisation that is using excessive plastic, tell them! Send them an email, tweet, Facebook message whatever you can do to let them know that you love their product and you’d like to see it with reduced plastic packaging. As consumers we have power and we have to remember that and make our voices heard.
10. Avoid microfibers
Microfibers are tiny particles of plastic that are shredded off your synthetic clothing then they are washed. These fibers account for 34.8% of the global microplastic pollution in the ocean. These fibers are so tiny that when they make their way into our waterways they are consumed by marine life. Humans are then consuming marine life and scientists have found microplastics in human blood and the placenta now! To avoid microfibers avoid synthetic clothing such as polyester, acrylic, elastane and polyethylene. You can also use microfiber catching laundry balls, and washing machine filters.
By implementing a few of these ten steps listed above you can potentially reduce your plastic consumption dramatically. We love to support Tangaroa Blue and the important work that they do to reduce plastic pollution and protect our oceans
