Surfers feel pollution. It’s that simple.
Talk about a slap in the face. Keep our oceans clean! Photo: Daniel Fryer
When a smoker throws a cigarette butt on the ground, there is a good chance it’ll end up in the ocean and a surfer will see it floating by congregating at the high tide line with a bunch of other garbage.
Pollution, especially plastic pollution, is not an abstract thing to surfers. This campaign makes that simple point.
It might be all blue barrels and skies above the water’s surface, but below is just as important if not more. Photo: Zak Noyle
Here are ten easy things you can do to reduce your “plastic footprint” and help keep plastics out of the marine environment:
1. Choose to reuse when it comes to shopping bags and bottled water. Cloth bags and metal or glass reusable bottles are available locally at great prices.
2. Refuse single-serving packaging, excess packaging, straws and other “disposable” plastics. Carry reusable utensils in your purse, backpack or car to use at bbq’s, potlucks or take-out restaurants.
3. Reduce everyday plastics such as sandwich bags and juice cartons by replacing them with a reusable lunch bag/box that includes a thermos.
4. Bring your to-go mug with you to the coffee shop, smoothie shop or restaurants that let you use them–a great way to reduce lids, plastic cups and/or plastic-lined cups.
5. Go digital! No need for plastic cds, dvds and jewel cases when you can buy your music and videos online.
6. Seek out alternatives to the plastic items that you rely on.
7. Recycle. If you must use plastic, try to choose #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE)–the most commonly recycled plastics. Avoid plastic bags and polystyrene foam as both typically have very low recycling rates.
8. Volunteer at a beach cleanup. Surfrider Foundation Chapters often hold cleanups monthly or more frequently.
9. Support plastic bag bans, polystyrene foam bans and bottle recycling bills.
10. Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends about why it is important to rise above plastics!
No one wants to dodge plastic in the lineup or on a wave. Recycle your waste! Photo: Zak Noyle
The Surfrider Foundation Australia‘s Waves campaign was developed at Arnold Furnace by executive creative director Tom Spicer, creatives Cameron Brown, Luke Duggan, James Galli Barrow, designer Darren Cole, producers Chris Hulsman and Warwick Nicholson, working with Surfrider Foundation Australia’s director Brendan Donahue.
Photography by Zak Noyle and Daniel Fryer was retouched at Cream Studios.
Read more from Jim on his Surfrider blog.
