The Surfrider Foundation (surfrider.org), the largest grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our oceans, waves and beaches, launched its fourth annual Rise Above Plastics Month in support of its Rise Above Plastics program. During this month long campaign the organization is calling on the public to learn the facts, pledge to reduce their plastic footprint, join a beach cleanup, help raise funds and enter Surfrider’s Plastic Art Contest.

“Improving and maintaining water quality has been one of the Surfrider Foundation’s core initiatives since its founding 30 years ago,” says Laura Lee, Marketing and Communications Director of the Surfrider Foundation. “Our goal, during Rise Above Plastics Month, is to raise awareness about the threats single-use plastics have on our marine and coastal environments, provide ways people can help, and raise funds for our Rise Above Plastics program and ongoing campaign efforts.”

Change begins onshore, from eliminating the proliferation of single-use plastics to cleaning up our beaches before this litter hits our waterways. Here are six ways people everywhere can reduce their plastic footprint to help protect our oceans, waves and beaches:

• Avoid buying items packaged in plastic. Look for produce and other items that aren’t over-packaged. Not only are you reducing the plastic you use, you’re sending a message to the manufacturers of those products that you prefer sustainable packaging.
• Use cloth shopping bags. Keep reusable bags somewhere handy—in your car or your bike or by the front door—so you don’t forget them when you go to the market, grocery store or mall.
• Forget bottled water. Carry a reusable bottle. Plastic bottles are one of the top five most common types of litter found on beaches. Since bottled water is much more expensive than tap water, you’ll also save money and avoid the possible hazards of plastic toxins leaching into your beverage.
• Volunteer at a beach cleanup. Plastics are forever. Help pick up plastic debris that have already reached our coasts to make certain they are recycled and not mistaken for food by birds and marine life. Surfrider Foundation Chapters will be holding events all month long. Collect trash, then enter our Rise Above Plastics art contest for a chance to win some amazing prizes.
• Take Surfrider’s Pledge to Rise Above Plastics. Learn more ways to make simple changes to your daily routines by taking this Surfrider pledge. Then spread the news and share it with your friends.
• Make a donation. Every drop counts. Your support is crucial in ensuring the continued success of Surfrider’s campaign and programmatic work, including more than 25 Rise Above Plastics campaigns taking place across the country today.

The Rise Above Plastics program is the Surfrider Foundation’s response to the problem of plastic litter in our ocean and marine environments. The goal of the program is to educate the public on the impacts single-use plastics have on marine environments, and how individuals can make changes in their daily lives and within their communities. The program has a track record of success. Just yesterday, Surfrider celebrated the first-ever statewide single-use plastic bag ban in California. Surfrider Chapters also have seen victories in Hawaii, Texas, Washington, D.C., and are working vigorously to help pass a bag ban bill in New York City.

Surfrider Foundation Chapters are currently working on 27 Rise Above Plastics campaigns around the country, with a total of 76 victories since 2006.

For more information about Rise Above Plastics Month please visit rapmonth.org.

Contact

Katie Ferguson, Communications Manager, kferguson@surfrider.org 

Logo courtesy Surfrider Foundation