What if one small choice could help keep waste out of the ocean? November is a time to take the No Waste November pledge and think about the waste we create every day. From coffee cups and takeout containers to plastic bags and food packaging, the things we use and throw away might seem small, but our everyday choices have an impact.
Waste doesn’t disappear when we throw it away. Even when disposed of properly, much of our trash ends up in landfills. When waste becomes litter, wind and rain can carry it into storm drains, streams, and waterways. From there, it eventually reaches the ocean.
Think about your last takeout meal. Maybe there was a plastic container, a cup, napkins, or a bag. Once the meal is over, it’s easy to toss everything and forget about it. But what happens when waste doesn’t make it into the trash? A wrapper left on the ground gets blown away by the wind. A cup rolls into the street. During the next rainfall, litter washes into storm drains and waterways connected to the ocean.
That’s why reducing waste isn’t only about what goes into our trash cans or landfills. It’s also about preventing everyday items from becoming litter in the first place.
Before your next takeout meal or coffee run, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I need those extra utensils and napkins? Before accepting disposable utensils, napkins, or other takeout items, think about what you’ll actually use. Skipping unnecessary items helps reduce waste and keeps more trash out of our landfills and waterways.
- Could this container get another use? Before tossing a takeout container, think about whether you might reuse it. Clean, reusable containers are helpful for storing leftovers, snacks, or small items instead of becoming trash after just one use.
- Can I use a reusable bag or cup instead? A reusable shopping bag or coffee cup replaces single-use items over time. Keep a bag in your car or a cup in your work or school bag so it’s handy when you’re on the go.
- Am I disposing of small pieces of trash properly? Receipts, bottle caps, and snack wrappers are easy to overlook. Even small pieces of litter left on the ground get picked up by wind or rain and carried into storm drains and waterways. Make sure every piece makes it into the trash.
One reusable cup or one piece of litter may seem insignificant, but everyday choices can prevent waste from becoming litter. This November, take the No Waste November pledge with the ocean in mind and find more ways to participate here. Use less, reuse what you can, and dispose of trash properly to keep litter out of our storm drains and waterways.
Sources: Jane Goodall Institute
