Let us tell you a true story (which you probably already know) to read before or during your vacation:
In 2007, an unusual group of castaways washed ashore in northern France: rubber ducks had just completed an epic 15-year journey that began in January 1992, when a ship, traveling between Hong Kong and the United States, lost part of the load during a storm. One of the overboard containers had 28.800 toys, some of which had appeared years earlier off the coast of Australia and the east coast of the United States. Others crossed the Bering Strait and the Arctic Ocean, reaching Greenland, the United Kingdom and New Scotland.
Each year, approximately 10 million tons of waste end up in the planet’s seas and oceans. Plastics, such as non-reusable beverage bottles and bags, are by far the main type of debris found in the marine environment. And the list goes on: broken fishing nets, ropes, sanitary towels, tampons, cotton swabs, condoms, cigarette butts, disposable lighters, etc.
The oceans cover about 70% of our planet’s surface and there is marine litter practically everywhere. This threatens not only the health of our seas and coasts, but also our economy and communities. Most of this waste comes from terrestrial activities. How can we stop the flow of garbage that invades the seas? The best place to start solving this global problem of the sea is on land. And it starts with you.
Therefore, we ask you: Go on vacation, enjoy the sand and the sea, behaving like a real animal! Because animals don’t litter on beaches, humans do! And if you see a plastic duck lying around lost in the sand, don’t kick it. Pick it up to recycle. Happy Vacation!
