10 lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: Be part of the solution

ByEcoOceanEscapes

Want to minimise your environmental impact? Discover 10 lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic, from the 3Rs to boycotting microbeads and travelling responsibly.

For divers and surfers, the ocean is our playground. But it’s hard to enjoy it with complete peace of mind with the knowledge that it has become a plastic junkyard.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, at least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. This constant onslaught of trash wreaks havoc on marine life: animals easily get entangled in the debris or mistake it for food, ingesting tiny plastic particles as the waste degrades in seawater.

Unlike paper or food waste that is biodegradable, plastics stick around for centuries.

While you might think that plastic in our oceans is a result of dumping garbage overboard – around 80% of marine trash comes from land. Plastic travels to waterways from city streets and coastal regions, meaning we all have a role to play. 

There are plenty of simple, lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic that we can all make and give our marine life a fighting chance at survival. When we make conscientious decisions on land, we can better protect the waters we love having as our playground.

For more insights into marine conservation issues, check out our collection of articles here. They focus on everything from ocean acidification and mercury pollution to coral bleaching and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A seabird sits amidst plastic waste
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A seabird sits amidst plastic waste

1. Reject disposable plastics

We’re all guilty of grabbing those convenient plastic grocery bags, straws and coffee lids without a second thought. But here’s an eye-opening statistic – around 50% of the plastic in our daily lives gets tossed after just one use.

Next time you reach for a disposable plastic item, pause. Consider the reusable alternatives. It only takes a few trips of bringing your own reusable bags to the supermarket or a travel cup to your local barista before it becomes a habit.

With a little mindfulness and planning ahead, we can reject disposable plastics and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our oceans.

Want to plan a sustainable surf adventure? Check out our collection of guides for eco-friendly surf trips around the globe.

Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: Fish swim around a bright pink anemone on a coral reef
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: Fish swim around a bright pink anemone on a coral reef

2. Find alternatives to plastic bottled water

Did you know that every single year, nearly 20 billion plastic water bottles end up in landfill? That’s a massive amount of unnecessary waste. While we know not everyone has access to clean drinking water directly from the tap, many of us do.

Investing in a high-quality reusable water bottle means you can easily refill at the tap and always have hydrating water at your fingertips. If you’re concerned about tap water quality, look for bottles with built-in filters to get clean, contaminant-free water on the go.

Although they may be costly upfront, reusable bottles are better for your wallet in the long run. So you’ll be saving money while helping keep single-use plastics out of our waterways. 

Carrying a reusable water bottle is a simple lifestyle change to reduce ocean plastic
Carrying a reusable water bottle is a simple lifestyle change to reduce ocean plastic

3. Boycott microbeads

Many common beauty products contain tiny plastic scrubbers that may seem harmless. But they pose a hidden threat to marine life.

These microbeads easily pass through water treatment plants. Many end up in oceans and rivers where aquatic animals mistake them for food.

The consequences can be tragic. Sea turtles, fish and seabirds often starve to death with stomachs full of indigestible plastic.

The solution is simple. Choose natural exfoliants like oatmeal or salt instead of plastic scrubbers. Your skin will reap the same smoothing benefits without harming the environment.

Small changes in our beauty routines can make a big difference in helping to reduce ocean plastics in their tiniest form. 

Seeking out eco-friendly dive experiences? Check out our collection of guides for sustainable scuba trips around the globe.

Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A pod of dolphins seen from above
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A pod of dolphins seen from above

4. Prepare healthy meals at home

While eating out can be convenient, all of those takeaway containers and plastic cutlery are adding up. Cooking your own meals is not only healthier but it keeps excess waste out of landfills.

When you do splurge on takeout, opt for eateries that use compostable containers. Or (better yet) take reusable containers for them to fill. It’s a win-win – healthier food and less waste!

So next time you’re tempted to order delivery, try firing up your stove and cooking a simple, nutritious meal instead. 

Preparing healthy meals at home is a simple lifestyle change to reduce ocean plastic
Preparing healthy meals at home is a simple lifestyle change to reduce ocean plastic

5. Adopt a minimalist mindset

When it comes to new toys and electronics, all those hard plastic clamshells and twist ties seem impossible to open, let alone recycle. So before you head to the store for brand new gadgets, consider this: do you really need it and can you find an alternative secondhand, without the packaging waste? 

Searching thrift stores, neighbourhood garage sales and online classifieds for pre-loved items is not only fun. It can also save you a lot of money.

Compared to the ease of clicking “buy” online, it’s also a more time-consuming process. This gives you more opportunity to consider whether it’s something you really need in your life…or not. 

A plastic bag floating in the ocean
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A plastic bag floating in the ocean

6. Reduce, reuse, recycle

By following these three simple steps, you’ll minimise the clutter in your life and do your part to reduce ocean plastic.

First, reduce. As discussed above, cut back on buying disposable items and only purchase what you really need. This minimises waste before it even starts.

Next, reuse. Get creative about breathing new life into old items. Turn t-shirts into cleaning rags, jars into pen holders and boxes into organisers.

Once you get started with reusing and upcycling, it becomes pretty addictive! Repurposing things not only saves resources but also money. 

Finally, recycle. Remember to place paper, plastic, glass and cans in the proper recycling bins. Additionally, familiarise yourself with how to dispose of other materials in your jurisdiction.

More and more councils are initiating recycling programs for everything from electronic items to batteries. It just takes a few minutes of internet research to find out!

Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A wooden jetty extends into the water at an Indonesian dive resort
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A wooden jetty extends into the water at an Indonesian dive resort

7. Buy in bulk 

We all love the convenience of single-serve yoghurts, travel-size toiletries and snack-size bags of nuts.

But have you ever stopped to consider the product-to-packaging ratio of these grab-and-go items? Sometimes, the packaging outweighs the actual product inside. 

Next time you’re shopping for on-the-go staples, take a moment to compare sizes. You may find that buying one larger container is more economical (and definitely more eco-friendly) than purchasing multiple smaller ones.

By buying in bulk, you’ll be reducing your packaging waste and the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans. 

Better yet, seek out a food coop near you where you can take your own glass jars and bags to fill from the bins. This eliminates the need for packaging altogether. Food coops are a great place to meet like-minded people and many are run with the help of volunteers if you’re looking to get involved. 

A shark patrols a seagrass bed
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: A shark patrols a seagrass bed

8. Vote with your dollar

Our choices as consumers matter. By opting to purchase an item in biodegradable packaging over single-use plastic, you’re telling manufacturers what matters to you.

As more people do the same, companies will be forced to make more eco-conscious changes or risk losing out financially. 

If you are passionate about ocean pollution, it’s crucial we hold manufacturers accountable.

Have thoughts on how a company could improve its sustainability? Speak up! Write them a letter explaining your perspective or send a tweet tagging their handle.

Your voice and actions can inspire change and bring awareness to other consumers looking to make more sustainable choices.

Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: An encounter with a whale shark
Lifestyle changes to reduce ocean plastic: An encounter with a whale shark

9. Support marine conservation organisations

Lastly, you can help to reduce ocean plastics and mitigate their devastating effects by supporting marine conservation organisations around the globe. There are so many out there doing incredible work, several of which have a surf or scuba focus.

Even if you don’t have the financial means to contribute monetarily, there are plenty of ways to get involved as a volunteer. It’s a great way to meet like-minded surfers and divers who are passionate about our oceans, ensuring they remain pristine playgrounds for future generations to enjoy.

10. Travel responsibly

As surfers and divers, we love travelling to far-flung corners of the globe to indulge our passions, whether that’s exploring UNESCO-listed dive sites or riding the world’s best waves.

But not all dive resorts and surf camps are ocean allies. Many are still relying on heavily packaged produce or failing to dispose of their waste responsibly.

The good news is there are plenty of eco-friendly dive resorts and sustainable surf camps who understand the importance of reducing their environmental footprint and are doing so in myriad ways.

So next time you travel, seek out eco-conscious accommodation. Look for places that value our planet and the local communities who rely on a thriving natural environment for their survival.

PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH OUR FAVOURITE RESOURCES:

Find hotels and resorts via Booking or Agoda

Book tours and experiences via Viator or GetYourGuide

Find a rental car via Discover Cars

Book flights via Kiwi or Booking

Search for buses and trains via 12Go or Omio

Get travel insurance via SafetyWing

Buy a digital eSIM with Airalo

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About the authors

We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe. After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.

Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.  

Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans. 

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