Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a worldwide issue.  The plastic patch in the ocean is not the only problem at hand.  We have been piling plastics in landfills across all continents for decades.  The plastic bags are especially difficult to manage as they create an impermeable layer and disrupt the purpose of a landfill to degrade the contents. 

Islands are especially at risk because they are the collection point for ocean trash migration and everything that is imported eventually becomes trash.  When island populations grew and tourism became the economic solution to foster development trash was not a consideration and now many islands are suffering under the weight of the trash produced by non-residents. 


Plastic waste in Manila, Philippines, one of the worst affected areas.


Plastics are buoyant and not easily contained.  Since space on the islands is limited trash is usually transported to a site off the island, which can contribute to more ocean pollution.  Additionally landfills and transfer stations are typically in remote vulnerable areas, when there are storm surges trash is easily disturbed and carried away with the wind and water.

Germany is taking action to reduce the volume of plastics for packaging the government is requiring more sustainable solutions and mandating limits on one-use disposable plastics production. 

Cassava plastic bag from Avani Eco.

Be informed and promote use of fully biodegradable plastics alternatives, whenever possible do not purchase one time use products in plastic containers. 

Some trusted online informational resources:




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