Whales keep eating plastic and dying. This one's stomach had 88 pounds of calcifying trash.

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/03/18/whales-keep-eating-plastic-dying-this-ones-stomach-had-pounds-calcifying-trash/?utm_term=.f71c1257ad26



By the time Marine biologist Darrell Blatchley arrived at the fishing village Saturday, the young Cuvier’s beaked whale was already floating, dead in the water, its eyes sunken and ribs protruding through its skin. The current off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao had washed away the blood it vomited before its death.

He already knew how the 15-foot-long whale had died.

“I knew this whale had died due to plastic ingestion,” Blatchley, president and founder of the D’ Bone Collector Museum, told The Washington Post, noting that the animal showed telltale signs of dehydration and emaciation. “I was not prepared for the amount of plastic.”

The autopsy he conducted revealed more than 88 pounds of waste in the young whale’s stomach — grocery bags, plastic garbage bags, four banana plantation sacks and 16 rice sacks.

“It was so bad the plastic was beginning calcification,” he said. “The plastic had been there a long time. The stomach was trying to absorb it any way possible.”

Plastic in the ocean is murdering wildlife and ruining many beautiful beaches and other areas. There are some disappointing photos at the link. I use cloth grocery bags and my city banned plastic straws because of the viral video of the sea turtle. But there is a ton of plastic in our lives that finds its way into waterways and then the ocean.

[Faux pas]

1. ...

[Blue Owl]

2. Really and truly horrible

The last 5-10 years I have been making a conscious effort to cut down on disposable plastic use. No liquid soap/shampoo that comes in throw-away bottles (instead, bar soap/shampoo), aluminum or glass vs. plastic drinking bottles, etc.

I wish someone would make a deodorant that somehow was in a non-plastic casing...

[IronLionZion]

3. Weleda has a liquid spray deodorant in a recyclable glass bottle

sold in organic stores and Amazon. It's not antiperspirant though.

I also use bar soaps/shampoo because it's lower cost too. And reusable drinking bottles. Bring my own silverware in a packed lunch, thermos for coffee, etc.

Single use plastic is the devil.

[Blue Owl]

9. Noted

Noted on the Weleda deodorant. I wish Tom's of Maine would do some kind of non-plastic packaging. I really like their Tea Tree deodorant and seems like there could be some kind of heavy hemp board wrap that would work in place of the plastic dispenser, and you could just push up the stick by hand instead of the fancy plastic dial contraption.

Agree that single use plastic is totally evil. Makes me think of the crying Indian on those old "Keep America Beautiful" commercials, remember those?

[maxsolomon]

4. And people dare to bitch that their plastic straws might get banned.

Selfish spoiled Americans without a shred of empathy for others, or for other creatures.

[DontBooVote]

5. I recently did a lot of traveling and somewhere along the way I got some food at

McDonald's (I think) somewhere, maybe California, and I was given a paper straw. It was sufficient and sturdy and I was glad to see it.

I wish I had noted where I was, but oh well, I'm sure some DUers have seen these.

[maxsolomon]

6. But what about my bubble tea? Paper will get mushy, whaaa!

Yes, paper straws were the only straws when I was a kid. Until the introduction of Krazy Straws.

Paper straws decompose.
They don't wind up in a Sea Turtle's nose.

[DontBooVote]

7. Yes, I remember paper straws as a kid as well. The straw I used recently was heavy-duty and

it can take me awhile to finish a large tea. I didn't have an issue with it.

I do remember, though, how sturdy it was. I actually studied it for a moment before giving it a try. I was actually quite impressed.

[FakeNoose]

8. The old paper straws were wax-coated and perfect for one-time use

I don't believe they'd work on hot drinks though, only cold drinks. Everybody uses plastic straws one time and throws them out, when the straws can actually be washed and reused for years. If we're not planning to reuse plastic straws, it's better to switch to the wax-coated ones that will self destruct in the landfill.

[IronLionZion]

10. There are sturdy reusable plastic or metal straws for the disabled to use

just wanted to note that for folks who need it and are willing to pack their own. For the rest of us, it's better to just sip from the cup, or bring our own reusable cup. More shops these days offer discounts for "bring your own cup".

[Omaha Steve]

11. Our non-recyclable plastics get picked up and burned keeping it out of nature and landfills etc

https://www.hefty.com/hefty-energybag/hefty-energybag-program

Hefty® EnergyBag® Program



The Hefty® EnergyBag® program is a groundbreaking initiative that collects previously non-recycled plastics - like the candy wrappers and juice pouches you've always thrown away - at curbside and converts them into valuable resources.

The Hefty® EnergyBag® Program is a significant step towards achieving positive long-term environmental and economic advantages, including new alternative energy resources and fewer tons of plastics ending up in landfills.

How does the Hefty® EnergyBag® Program Work?

1. Put clean and dry non-recycled plastics in your Hefty® EnergyBag® orange bags. If you have any questions about what you can include in the bags, browse our FAQs.

2. When full, securely tie the bags.

3. Place the bags inside your recycling cart during your scheduled recycling pick up.