1. Plastic Paradise: the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Did you know that nearly all receipts are coated with BPA (a chemical used to make many plastics) and that BPA can quickly contaminate your blood when you handle your receipts? This is just one startling fact I learned from Plastic Paradise: the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a 2013 documentary directed by Angela Sun. Sun digs deeper into our reliance on convenient, single-use plastics and the startling threats they pose to ecosystem health, as well as humans. Sun offers ways you can take action now by simply voting with our wallets, buying in bulk, using reusable materials, and getting involved in our communities. You can watch Plastic Paradise here or on Netflix.
At lot of folks have a common misconception that the garbage patches around the world are tangible islands of trash. In actuality, the situation is more accurately described as plastic smog. Rather than an island, tiny bits of microplastics are floating within our ocean gyres. The Smog of the Sea clears the air about this myth and offers ways we can all do our part to refuse plastic in our everyday lives. The documentary features our friends at 5 Gyres and Jack Johnson! You can watch The Smog of the Sea by clicking here.
– Sandra Meola, Communications and Outreach Associate
Recent News
- NY/NJ Baykeeper Honors Two at Annual Award Reception & Wine Tasting
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NY/NJ Baykeeper Officially Opens New Headquarters!
It was a full house at NY/NJ Baykeeper's gala Ribbon-Cutting and Open House as the nonprofit organization celebrated the opening of its new headquarters in Matawan this past Thursday, August 30. The new headquarters will enable NY/NJ Baykeeper to continue its mission of improving water quality in the New York- New Jersey Harbor region through environmental advocacy and stewardship. Approximately 150 friends, supporters and environmental advocates joined a host of elected officials to celebrate the milestone, including New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., State Senator Declan O'Scanlon, Monmouth County Freeholders John Curley and Gerry Scharfenberger, Matawan Mayor Joseph Altomonte, Hazlet Deputy Mayor Sue Kiley and Matawan Councilwoman Deana Gunn. Read more →
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ACOE Will Meet to Discuss Plans on Storm Surge Barriers
UPDATE: The public comments period for the United States Army Corps of Engineers NY-NJ Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study has been extended to November 5, 2018. Comments received by November 5th will be considered and incorporated into the draft report anticipated to be released in late November/early December 2018. Comments received after this date will be included with the comments received during the public review of the draft report. The Riverkeeper Alliance has more information about the floodwalls themselves on their website that you can visit here. For more information about the NY-NJ Harbor Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Read more →
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Styrofoam and Its Staggering Effects on the Environment
Each year an estimated 430,000,000,000 Styrofoam and single use plastic containers/utensils are tossed in the trash worldwide. 74,000,000,000 styrofoam cups and plates are thrown in the trash every year in the United States according to the EPA. That is a lot of styrofoam! So, what exactly makes single-use plastics and styrofoam so appealing? They are disposable! No cleanup! Out of sight out of mind! But the truth is that these “one use wonders” have negative long-lasting impacts on the environment and wildlife that call it home. Styrofoam does not break down fully. Styrofoam is made from chemicals-fossil fuels to be Read more →
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2018 Independence Day Events!
It is officially July which means there are plenty of upcoming Independence Day events throughout the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary area! For your convenience we have compiled a list of all of the 4th of July events in our area as your guide this Independence day! If there are any in your area that we may missed, feel free to email mmcparland545@gmail.com and we will add it on! New Jersey events (counties we cover: Monmouth, Middlesex, Union, Essex, Passaic, Bergen, & Hudson) July 1st Paramus Parade including floats, bikes and strollers with food vendors. Donations will be taken for the Read more →
