During a beach cleanup along 300 miles of Texas shoreline in 1988, 15,600
plastic six-pack rings were found in 3 hours.
BACKGROUND. Plastic six-pack holders-the rings used for canned beer,soft
drinks, oil, etc.-have become an ocean hazard to birds and other marine
life. How do they get in the water? They're left on the beach by careless
sunlovers and wash into the ocean; or they're dumped into our waterways
along with tons of other garbage, and gradually make their way into the
oceans; or they're dumped into seaside landfills and erosion or wind
propels them into the water. Once they're floating in the sea, they're
hazards to marine life.
DID YOU KNOW
Six-pack holders are virtually invisible underwater, so marine animals
can't avoid them
Gull and terns-birds that frequent recreational areas and dumps near the
ocean-sometimes catch one loop around their necks while fishing. THen they
snag another loop on a stationary object. Result:they drown or strangle
themselves.
Pelicans catch fish by plunging into the water. Occasionally, one will
dive straight into a six-pack ring. Result: the bird ends up with the ring
stuck around its bill;unable to open its mouth, it starves to death.
Young seals and sea lions get the rings caught around their necks. As they
grow, the rings get tighter, and, the animals suffocate. Some states now
require six-pack rings to be photodegradable-which means they break down
in sunlight after 30 days-but that doesn't deal with the short-term
problems.
SIMPLE THINGS TO DO
Before you toss six-pack holders into the garbage, snip each circle with a
scissors.
When you're on the beach, pick up any six-pack rings you find and take
them with you. Snip (or snap) them before you throw them away
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