Target: Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Goal: Develop a plastic waste reduction plan before there’s more trash in the ocean than fish.

Dumping of plastic in our oceans has expanded by a dramatic 1,900 percent in the past half-century. Creation of the material is expected to increase twofold again in the following 20 years. If the world stands by and lets plastic pollution continue at this rate, we will lose one of our natural resources and jeopardize the futures of our children.

More than eight million tons of plastics wind up entering our seas every year, where the pieces can remain for many years. There are expected to be 165 million tons of plastic waste in the sea at this moment. We’re dumping what might as well be called one waste vehicle’s worth into the sea every moment; that is anticipated to hop to four per minute by 2050 according to a report by the World Economic Forum and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Furthermore, that report has a dismal cautioning–we’re on track to have more plastic than fish, by weight, in our seas by 2050.

Also, the tossed plastic that doesn’t wind up in the sea is likely be placed in a landfill; those two resting places wind up holding around 70 percent of our plastic and only five percent of plastics are viably reused. It’s not only an issue of contamination, but of reusing these plastics properly. “After a short first-utilize cycle, 95% of plastic bundling material quality, or $80 to $120 billion yearly, is lost to the economy,” the report says.

The plastic waste issue has gotten out of control and now more than ever we need more recycling, reusable packaging, and decompose plastic packaging. Sign the petition below to save the future of our oceans and planet’s well-being.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,

The amount of plastic waste in our planet’s oceans has increased tenfold in the last half century. A recent study by the World Economic Forum and Ellen MacArthur Foundation has anticipated we should expect to have more plastic pollution in our oceans, based on weight, than fish by 2050. Only five percent of plastic in landfills is actually reused properly, which raises the issue of reusability versus waste.

I urge you to take action and support the development of a plastic waste risk reducing plan that will help control plastic pollution in our seas, increase recycling, reusable packaging, and compostable plastic packaging. Also, I challenge you and your resources to find a solution for after-use plastics that can be turned into an economically valuable feedstock.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Gerry & Bonni