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Plastic Pollution

A white wave shape.

How you can fight plastic pollution

Everyone can make individual choices right now to reduce our reliance on plastics and keep them from ending up in the ocean.

A pile of plastic silverware, plates, cups, straws, and other commonly used items made from plastics.

Reduce plastic use. Most plastics are made from petroleum products. Greenhouse gases are associated with every step in their manufacturing process.

An individual kneeling down on a rocky beach, picking up a plastic bottle and placing it inside a garbage bag which has other items already inside.

Pick up litter on a local beach. Better yet, organize a group of friends or family members to join a local beach cleanup!

A person holding a reusable water bottle under the water tap of a sink, filling the bottle.

Switch to reusable dishes and utensils. Bring your own reusable mug or bottle when you get coffee or water. Skip the plastic utensils and straws when you get takeout food.

A person refilling a reusable glass jar with granola from a bulk item area inside a store.

Choose products with less packaging. Pay attention to how much plastic comes with what you buy. Your candy, headphones, pens and more come in plastic packaging. Strive to cut down on your daily plastic consumption, buy used instead of new whenever possible and reward corporations that package responsibly!

A cosmetic cream product with microbeads mixed within the cream.

Avoid microbeads. Plastic microbeads are used for exfoliation or abrasion in personal care and cleaning products. Rinsed off, they end up in the ocean. Look for their chemical names on the label: polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon (PA), polypropylene (PP) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

Seattle Aquarium advocacy

In 2023, we worked with our partners in the Plastic Free Washington Coalition to pass HB 1085 in Washington state, which will reduce three sources of unnecessary plastic waste: single-use water bottles, mini hotel toiletries and plastic foam-filled docks and floats.

We are advocating for lasting solutions to plastic pollution, including the federal Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act and Reducing Waste in National Parks Act. We also push for producer responsibility legislation in Washington state.

In 2021, we worked with our partners to pass SB 5022 in Washington state. That law banned certain expanded polystyrene foam products, like recreational coolers and packing peanuts. It required manufacturers of things like plastic beverage bottles, trash bags, laundry detergent packaging and shampoo containers to use post-consumer recycled content. Foodservice businesses may now only provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets and cold-beverage lids when the customer requests them.

In 2020, we helped pass the Reusable Bag Bill to eliminate thin, single-use plastic bags in Washington state.

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Support the Seattle Aquarium

Two sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium floating on the water in their habitat, holding onto each other demonstrating a rafting behavior.

With your help, the Seattle Aquarium builds connections with our community to inspire conservation and curiosity for marine life. When you make an end-of-year gift by December 31, you'll be joining us in protecting our shared marine environment—now and for generations to come. Thank you!

Today only, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 thanks to the generosity of Betsy Cadwallader, and Jess and Andy Peet!

Photo of an eagle ray gliding through the water cut out and placed against an illustrated background of snowflakes with two illustrated presents above the eagle ray.

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