Single-use plastics are convenient, but they come at a huge cost to our environment. From plastic bags and straws to food packaging, these items often end up polluting our lands and oceans, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with New Zealand contributing to the problem. Much of our plastic waste ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. Even worse, a significant portion escapes into the ocean, endangering marine life.

Ocean plastic poses a severe threat to marine animals. They can ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food, leading to starvation and internal injuries. Larger pieces of plastic can entangle marine creatures, restricting movement and causing injury or death. Furthermore, plastic breaks down into smaller particles called microplastics.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that contaminate our waterways and even enter the food chain. These particles are ingested by fish and other marine organisms, eventually making their way up the food chain and potentially ending up on our plates. The long-term effects of microplastic consumption on human health are still being researched, but it's a growing concern.