Hillsborough County, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and the City of Tampa are joining the worldwide movement to reduce waste from single-use plastics.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, six of the top 10 contributors to marine debris are single-use, or disposable, plastic products. They include food and beverage container caps and lids, beverage bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers, cups, plates, cutlery, and drinking straws. Known as “food service ware,” such single-use plastic utensils and containers pose a threat to marine environments because they do not fully break down or decompose. When littered, or caught by the wind, these items get washed into stormwater drains that empty into streams, rivers, bays, and other waterways.
6 Ways You Can Help Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Bring Your Own BagEach reusable bag can eliminate hundreds (if not thousands) of single-use plastic bags.Say NO to Straws or Bring Your OwnPlastic straws are consistently one of the most littered plastic items. If you really need one, get a reusable straw and bring your own.Bring Your Own CupReplace an average of 500 disposable paper, plastic, or Styrofoam cups a year with a reusable cup or mug. Ask your favorite business if they offer a discount for bringing your own cup.Bring Your Own Container and UtensilsWhen grabbing a meal on the go, bring your own takeout or leftover container and utensils instead of more single-use “doggie bags”.Carry a Reusable Water BottleCarrying your own bottle cuts waste and is much cheaper. Typically, bottled water costs 2000 times more than tap water.
