Raptoberfest Beach Cleanup in NH

Last Saturday was rainy and windy up in NH but I was still stoked to take part in Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics: Raptoberfest. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness regarding the dangers of plastic pollution and to focus on solutions. Volunteers scoured the beach for plastic debris. We then organized them into mosaics. It was easy (unfortunately) to find more than enough plastic for our artwork.

Trashbot by Jamie

Here are 10 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint borrowed from Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics campaign:

1. Stop using single-use plastic water bottles.  In nearly all cases, the water out of your tap is just as safe – if not safer – than the water distributed in single-use plastic bottles.   Instead, buy and use a reusable bottle and fill it with water.
2. Whenever possible, buy food in bulk.  Buying food in bulk helps to reduce the total amount of packaging materials consumed.
3. Buy your music electronically.  By purchasing your music electronically, you avoid the need to create plastic compact discs, plastic jewel cases, and cellophane wrapping.
4. Stop using plastic grocery bags.  Each year over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide.  Because these bags are so light and thin, they are easily carried by the wind out into the environment.  Instead, use reusable bags to get your groceries and other purchases home.
5. Say “NO” to pre-packaged single serving portions.  These types of products are among the worst when it comes to excess packaging.
6. Reusable containers are rad! When it comes to lunch and leftovers, ditch the plastic bag and use reusable containers instead.  Reusable containers are just as easy to use and far less harmful to the planet
7. Buy a reusable travel mug.  Use a reusable travel mug or to-go cup for your coffee, tea and other beverage purchases.  Think of all the lids (as well as the waxed paper cups) you’ll save.
8. Always look for alternative packaging. Many items such as soft drinks, detergent, cat litter, etc. come in alternate packaging (such as aluminum or cardboard) that can be more easily recycled than plastic.
9. Buy and sell secondhand.  Clothing, toys, baby gear, furniture, household supplies, sporting goods and many other consumer items can often be found through secondhand sources, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic entering the waste stream.
10.  Recycle! In those instances where you must use plastic, please make sure to recycle it.  Most plastics can be upcycled to make cool and useful items, including Rusty ECO-stretch boardshorts!

These plastic "sewer discs" are just a few of the estimated 4-8 million that escaped a water treatment facility in Hooksett, NH back in March 2011 along with thousands of pounds of raw sewage. Though a massive cleanup effort has been in the works all spring/summer, they continue to wash up - sometimes in large numbers. It will be interesting to see how far these have traveled when we look at other chapter's photographs.

Learn more about Raptoberfest and Rise Above Plastics here » www.raptoberfest.org, and here » www.riseaboveplastics.org

Want to help be part of the solution even more? Volunteer at a Surfrider Event near you! » www.surfrider.org/take-action/volunteer