Protecting our precious marine environments is a team effort and there is so much that we can all do within our own lives to help protect and preserve our precious marine and coastal environments for future generations. We all have a part to play and what we do at home, at work, at the supermarket, as well as at the beach, has a huge impact on the health of our oceans and beaches.
Here are some helpful tips that you can employ to help reduce your impact on our oceans and beaches.
At Home
- Always dispose of your waste into a rubbish bin and ensure it is collected regularly.
- Don’t pour oils and fats down the drain. Instead, dispose of fats and oils into the rubbish.
- Re-use grey water from your washing machine and the shower to water your garden.
- Say no to straws when eating out.
- Sort your rubbish into organic waste, recycling and general waste.
At Work
- Take your own water bottle and refill at a water dispenser rather than buying bottled water.
- Use a lunchbox to reduce plastics such as cling film and zip lock bags.
- If you produce lots of recyclable materials, discuss local options for collection and processing
- Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, especially at night.
At the Supermarket
- When shopping, use a re-useable shopping bag instead of using plastic bags.
- Use traditional or farmers’ markets to buy locally-sourced fruit, vegetables, and meat.
- Buy in bulk rather than individually-wrapped products.
- Look for environmentally-friendly alternatives for dishwashing detergent, body wash, and washing powder.
At the Beach
- Always dispose of your waste into a rubbish bin. If bins are not available, keep your rubbish until you find a collection point.
- Respect the natural environment and the sea creatures that live here.
- Don’t walk or stand on coral because these are homes for many sea creatures.
- Be careful when wearing fins or flippers, as these can severely damage the reef.