Humans produce over 300 million tonnes of plastic every year. That is equivalent to the combined weight of every person on the planet.
Let that sink in.
What’s worse is that half of that – 150 million tonnes of plastic each year – is only used once, sometimes for seconds, and then thrown away.
Plastic is useful, though
Admittedly, plastic is useful, and seemingly inescapable. It’s lightweight, durable, and can be reused almost infinitely. Unfortunately, reusing and recycling have not proven popular options for a large portion of the global population. On the other hand, over-consumption and the spoiling of natural resources; favourites.
Poor waste management coupled with human neglect has resulted in a global ecological emergency. Remember that 150 million tonnes of plastic that’s so readily thrown away each year? That can take hundreds of years to decompose, clogging our oceans and covering our land. Our planet is fighting a battle it can’t win on its own.
You’re reading this for a reason
Hopefully, if you’re reading this, it’s because you care about the health and well-being of our environment and, by extension, of every living being. When developing PLAYA London, we asked ourselves what we could do to help. We recognise that the onus is on us, human beings, to help the earth recover from the damage we’ve caused it and to stop the spread of further harm, and we want to be sure to do our part.
As consumers we have a great power. This infographic outlines six ways we can reduce ocean plastic.
PLAYA London & The Ocean Cleanup
At PLAYA London we’re committed equally to helping better the world as we are to outfitting it in comfortable, colourful style.
We’re thrilled to partner with The Ocean Cleanup, an organisation that started by engineer Boyan Slatt who developed a river cruising machine known a The Interceptor. This incredible machine uniquely collects plastic and other rubbish from the waters, navigating away from fish and other life in the waters. In 2021 alone it removed 10 tonnes of plastic waste from our waters.
With each PLAYA London purchase, £3 is donated to The Ocean Cleanup.. As our company grows, we aim to grow the number of charities we work with, and hopefully work with local charities close to the locations our shirts are named after. A goal for 2023!
