Plastic Free July at United By Blue

July 21, 2025

Help us turn the tide on ocean pollution!

At United By Blue, we're more than just a brand; we're a community brought together by the oceans that surround us and a shared, unwavering objective to protect them. We believe that together, we can turn the tide on ocean pollution.

But first, let's talk about the challenges we face EVERY DAY. Did you know that over 8 million metric tons of plastic flood our oceans each year? To put that into perspective, that's like dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every single minute. This isn't just an abstract number; it's an immediate threat to marine ecosystems, jeopardizing all kinds of marine life. Their survival, and ultimately ours(!!!), depends on the health of our waters.

And it's not just visible plastic. Over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris currently litter our oceans, a significant portion of which are microplastics – tiny fragments smaller than 5 millimeters. These microscopic threats are being ingested by marine life, entering our food chain, and their long-term effects are still being uncovered.

The good news? You have the power to make a tangible difference. By making mindful shifts in your daily habits, showing up prepared, and having environmentally conscious mindset, you can significantly reduce your personal carbon footprint and plastic waste.

Here are some simple actions that you can start using TODAY:

Move with Purpose: Opt for biking or walking instead of driving. Not only do you reduce emissions, but you also get those steps in! Did you know transportation accounts for roughly 29% of greenhouse gas emissions? Every bike ride helps! Don't live in a walkable place?? Carpooling and public transport is a great alternative.
Shop Smart: Next time you head to the grocery store or go on a shopping spree, remember your trusty reusable bags. Not only will you be saying no to waste, but those reusable bags are much easier to carry and often hold a lot more!
Sip Sustainably: Make your daily coffee trip a win for the planet by bringing your own (and I bet much cuter!!) mug. Globally, we use approximately 500 billion disposable coffee cups annually – almost all of which are not recyclable.
Ditch Disposables: Extend the "reusable" mindset beyond bags and mugs. Think about reusable water bottles (Americans buy about 50 billion plastic water bottles each year!), metal straws, and reusable food containers.
Reduce Food Waste: Plan your meals, store food properly, and get creative with leftovers. Roughly one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption is lost or wasted, contributing to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Embrace Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Switch to natural, non-toxic cleaning products or make your own to avoid harsh chemicals that can harm aquatic ecosystems when washed down drains. Refillable, glass bottles are also a great option!

These aren't just minor adjustments; they are small actions that, when adopted by many, multiply to create a truly HUGE collective impact.

Let's focus on one of the worst, serial offenders: plastic bags. A staggering 5 trillion plastic bags are consumed globally each year, yet a dismal less than 1% ever get recycled. The devastating consequence? Approximately 300 million of these bags tragically end up polluting our oceans annually, entangling marine life and breaking down into harmful microplastics. Not to be too graphic, but these bags also physically harm animals, getting wrapped around them and suffocating them. A single plastic bag can take anywhere from 10 to 1,000 years to decompose, often just breaking into smaller and smaller pieces (ie MICROPLASTICS!).

It's time to TAKE ACTION (like today...)! This isn't about perfection; it's about progress. Even the smallest conscious changes matter immensely. Make that switch today: from single-use convenience to durable, planet-friendly reusables.