Here's what Greenpeace have to say:

Every year, about 300 billion pounds of plastic is produced around the world, and only a fraction is recycled.

We’re all responsible for this mess, and it will take all of us to stop it from getting worse. It’s time to completely rethink how we as a society use (or abuse) plastic.

Here are some things that we can all do right now:

• Every time you see litter, pick it up and dispose of it properly.

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Be conscious of all that you buy, and be sure to avoid products with excessive packaging, especially in disposable products.

• Plastics are highly dependent on oil for their production - start treating plastics as the rare resource that they soon will be!

• Refuse plastic carrier bags wherever possible.

• Don't take part in balloon releases

• Do not flush plastics (sanitary towels, tampon applicators, cottonbuds) down the loo

• Demand more and better recycling facilities in your area.

• Take part in local stream, river and beach cleanups (for instance Beachwatch)- or organise one yourself.

• When visiting beaches, take a spare bag to pick up any litter that you see - especially plastic bags, balloons and fishing line which are especially damaging to wildlife.

• If you live near the ocean, or a river that drains into it, your storm drains may be washing rubbish out to sea. Be conscious of this and any other potential sources of marine litter in your area. Demand that these are eliminated.

• Support organisations such as Greenpeace and the Marine Conservation Society who are lobbying for change and for the establishment of marine reserves.

• Be very conscious of your ecological footprint. Encourage change though your decisions and do not accept society's obsession with consumption and disposability.

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