The Blue Paradox

Many of our everyday items and activities produce #microplastics that can end up in our oceans.(Earth.org) (Boucher and Friot 2017)

When #PlasticWaste ends up in the ocean, it negatively impacts all marine life, from the tiniest plankton to the biggest whale. Our global leaders must act now to protect our oceans by signing a global plastics treaty. (Desforges et al (2015)) (Earth.org)

#Plastic bags are a useful tool in modern society. However, their short working lives are causing long-term damage to our oceans, taking centuries to biodegrade. (Plastic Oceans)

Colorado just announced their new Extended Producer Responsibility law which requires companies that use single-use materials to pay a fee. ​ We must continue to urge our governments to improve recycling systems to protect our oceans from plastic waste. cbsnews.com/colorado/news/ne…

Without a federal standard for recycling practices, up to 2.24 million metric tons of the plastic produced in the U.S. leaks into the environment each year. (Earth.org) (Statista 2022)

One year ago, @SCJohnson & @ConservationOrg opened the doors to the Blue Paradox exhibit. Since then, 200K+ advocates have joined the movement to help address the #PlasticWasteCrisis. To learn more about what you can do to protect our oceans, visit bit.ly/3zrt8uq

#Microplastics have been found in salt, tea bags, fruits and vegetables. This can lead to humans ingesting #PlasticWaste, with those same particles entering our bloodstream. (EARTHDAY ORG)

In 2021, only around 4% of the 51 million tons of plastic produced in the U.S. was #recycled. By increasing our recycling levels, we can address the amount of #PlasticWaste that ends up polluting our oceans. (Greenpeace)

Gov. Tim Walz’s budget bill makes Minnesota the fifth state to pass #EPR legislation. A federal standard can ensure all 50 states do their part to address the #PlasticWaste crisis. packagingdive.com/news/minne…

#Microplastics have been found in the digestive tracks of the fish we eat. Together, we must urge our leaders to implement policies that protect our oceans from the plastic waste crisis. (Sequeira et al. (2021)) (Munno et al. (2021))

Recycling policies vary across the globe, but one thing remains consistent – addressing the plastic waste crisis will require an updated U.S. federal recycling policy. (World Population Review)

#Microplastics harm our sea creatures. It will take all of us to address the plastic waste crisis and it’s impact on marine life. (Isobe et al. (2021))

Plastic is essential to modern life, however its impact on our oceans must be addressed. #PlasticWaste is polluting our waterways and we must work together to find a solution. (Plastic Waste Makers)

From protecting Octopi from natural predators to #microplastics being found in their prey, the effects of plastic waste on our oceans will be felt for generations to come with unknown consequences. (History Museum; Smithsonian Magazine)

The Galápagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most unique creatures, but #PlasticWaste is harming the habitats of already endangered marine life on the islands. theguardian.com/environment/…

Globally, humans may ingest up to 5 grams of microplastics a week, leading to health concerns from introducing pathogens and parasites. (SoFi, Senathirajah et al (2021))

Fishing gear can take up to 600 years to biodegrade. While important to society, abandoned fishing equipment can harm our marine life. (WeForum)

Sea turtles are an integral part of marine ecosystems. Yet their populations are threatened by plastic waste. Encourage government action to help end the ocean plastic crisis and protect marine life from the threat of plastic waste. (Kühn et al. (2015))

The only way to get everyone in the plastic ecosystem working together is a government regulatory framework. #EPR sets a federal standard, increasing efficiencies in our recycling systems and decreasing the amount of plastic waste.

As plastic waste continues to pollute our waters, the oceans are at a tipping point. How deep is your understanding of the ocean #PlasticWaste crisis? blueparadox.com/en/plastic-w…