Are you on your way to the beach? Check your hamper. In addition to the food and drinks, do you have plastic plates, spoons and utensils you can just easily leave and dispose of after using?
“It is just plastic, and I won’t pollute the ocean with just this one.” Does this monologue sound familiar?
Pause for a moment because if everyone thinks like you do, beaches face serious water pollution that would put anyone at risk.
Concerned groups like the Beautify CNMI conduct regular beach cleanups in the commonwealth, and each time they collect hundreds of pounds of trash from the beaches.
According to the annual survey of water quality by the Natural Resources Defense Council, pollution on the beaches caused the highest number of beach advisories and closures.
The NRDC said last year, over 20,000 beach closings and advisories were issued due to pollution. The CNMI is not exempted. Every week the Division of Environmental Quality issues beach advisories but this is no reason to be scared.
Eliminate plastics
Over 40 percent of nearly seven million pounds of debris collected in the last international coastal cleanup organized by Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit organization, was plastic. The NRDC said this included 1.3 million plastic bags, nearly 1 million food containers and wrappers, close to 940,000 caps and lids, about 710,000 plastic bottles, 500,000 straws and stirrers, and just over 440,000 plastic utensils.
When you go to the beach, bring a thermos or water dispenser and re-usable plates, cups and spoons instead of using bottled drinks, disposable plates and utensils.
Other beach-saving tips
• Stop smoking at the beaches
In the last international cleanup, volunteers picked up more than 3.2 million cigarette butts and filters. If you really have to smoke, don’t throw your butts around.
• Stick to organic sunscreens, cosmetics, and insect repellent
• Pick up animal waste
• Pick up and pack your trash
It’s the most basic of all rules to protect the beaches for you and for the future generations.
