The problem with plastic

We just returned from vacation.  An island vacation has never really been my thing, but I embraced it fully once I heard the calming lull of waves crashing against the rocky shoreline and spotted the crystal clear turquoise water.  Paradise.

One sunny day we decided to embark on a long walk along the beach at low tide.  Perhaps we'd find some starfish or sea urchin.  As we wandered barefoot in the warm soft sand, something in the distance caught my eye.  What was it...?

Plastic?!  Yep.  And lots of it, in many forms, along with a variety of other trash.  Sure we'd both heard of the great Pacific garbage patch, but like a lot of other things you read about, it doesn't really hit home until you experience it first hand.  At first I suggested we start picking up the bottles we could carry, but it was soon clear that it would be impossible for us to carry everything back ourselves.  The amount and size of some of the plastic objects was shocking. We walked in silence trying to balance the beauty and the horror of our circumstance.

We spoke with our hosts at this remote resort about the issue and they shared our frustration. Each week they comb the beach and collect the trash - but more washes up before they can catch their breath.

That evening we turned on the independent film channel (I know, I know...TV on vacation?!) and were surprised to see a show called, "Addicted to Plastic."  See the trailer.  It was sobering.  I hope you'll have the chance to see it, though I know the Sundance Channel is no longer showing it.

Before we left our remote island getaway, I took one last glance at some of the items I picked up along our beach walk...and I thought to myself...I wonder when the time will come when searching for shells and sea glass will no longer be possible between the piles of plastic?