The plastic pollution crisis is getting out of hand.
Corporations and retailers are wrapping everything from avocados to t-shirts in throwaway plastic packaging that finds its way into our oceans, all in the name of “convenience.” What’s worse, we know that more than 90% of the plastics ever created have not been recycled — there’s simply too much plastic for us to recycle away the problem.
The result? Ocean plastics are literally choking marine life like turtles, whales, and seabirds to death.
We think the corporations flooding the market with single-use plastics need to do better, and millions of you agree! Over the past few weeks, we asked you to share photos of the ridiculous plastic packaging you come across in your lives using #BreakFreeFromPlastic — and you did not disappoint.
Tired of corporations and retailers using so much throwaway plastic? Tell them about it!
Take a photo every time you see excessive plastic packaging and share it using #BreakFreeFromPlastic — don't forget to tag the companies! pic.twitter.com/epJYvAREos
— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) March 29, 2018
The photos we received (sent in from every corner of the globe) are enough to make any ocean lover scream. But instead of getting angry, let’s get motivated — let’s make 2018 the year we break free from plastic packaging like this!
https://twitter.com/Lorenasantana88/status/982617832952393728
¡Esto es ridículo! Como estos, muchos productos tienen empaques innecesarios que solo contaminan. Ayúdame exigiendo a los corporativos que los eliminen para que no terminen en nuestros ríos y mares. #BreakFreeFromPlastic https://t.co/AF8AzKc9gO pic.twitter.com/vFRMYcvd7X
— Mauricio Ochmann (@MauOchmann) April 2, 2018
Do these Coconuts 🥥 really need plastic packaging AND foam? They already have a great packaging of their own. Fruit does not need a wrapper!#plasticpollution #BreakFreeFromPlastic pic.twitter.com/b6LoNE0vz6
— Leila (@lchapa06) April 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/DerBorutzki/status/981848764607598592
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhKMNomFDVQ/
Considering that your parent company @Nestle was found to be 2017’s dirtiest corporate plastic polluter worldwide, I guess this isn’t too surprising – and it’s not okay. Single-use plastic is choking our oceans, and you are the problem. #BreakFreeFromPlastic #PointlessPlastic pic.twitter.com/e0QuelQMAR
— Sybil (@Sybil_Jeanne) March 30, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhO65gVFAor/
https://twitter.com/morganwatkinstw/status/983336416414400513
Am I buying fresh food or #plastic? Please help me (and Danish supermarkets) to #breakfreefromplastic! pic.twitter.com/P3SoPoBPMu
— Lorenzo Alberini (@LorenzoAlberini) April 9, 2018
Coconut wrapped in plastic? No, thanks! 😒
Tweet your pics of #ridiculouspackaging, tag the company and tell them to #breakfreefromplastic! pic.twitter.com/AjKZ4fwbHv
— Greenpeace Philippines (@gpph) April 9, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhbQ_BWlJiU/
https://twitter.com/annalaviajera/status/983859316217208834
Fruits and veg are washable & come in their own natural wrapping. @nema_ke @Environment_Ke Why do our #Kenyansupermarkets smother them in plastic? It’s time we #BreakFreeFromPlastic & reclaim the vital relationship with what we eat.@Greenpeaceafric @gp_kenyagroup @Greenpeace pic.twitter.com/QzWYK6kkTv
— kelvin Mugambi 🌱 (@MugambiKev) April 11, 2018
#BreakFreeFromPlastic
Abbiamo davvero bisogno di imballaggi e contenitori inutili e monouso? E' il momento di chiedere alle grandi aziende di darci un taglio con la plastica usa-e-getta!>> https://t.co/KgjjmquCPD pic.twitter.com/00tw0lQ1by— Francesca Baldin (@LamiAfra) April 11, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhcKMdJAKBS/
Far too much of our fruit and vegetables are packed and wrapped in plastic and we're sick of having more and more of it dumped on us by retailers who make us responsible for trying to recycle it. #breakfreefromplastic https://t.co/efJNd9V2Kj pic.twitter.com/TLoPM9wg6G
— The Story of Stuff Project (@storyofstuff) April 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/gonzaga_di/status/982064938813292545
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhT0iJ7hlhs/
I got these recently from #Uniqlo. Whilst I do love them, I realized there isn't any recycling symbol on the cover. Seriously @Uniqlo? Do you have an eco-friendly alternative coming? #NoMorePlastic #BreakFreeFromPlastic #Ecofriendly #CleanUpYourAct #ProtectOurOceans pic.twitter.com/2KWOH0jMMN
— Bleuturquine (@Bleuturquine) April 11, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhMSBLxlUYs/
#breakfreefromplastic @woolworths @Greenpeace @GreenpeaceAP @UNEnvironment pic.twitter.com/h6UR2ZaMZE
— Sandra (@stangatatoa) April 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/Lorenasantana88/status/982617832952393728
So much unnecessary plastic! How much of this fruit goes to waste sitting in plastic containers? Fruit tastes so much better when it’s fresh. There should be no packaged option to buy fruit. 🍉🍍🍊🍐doesn’t need plastic. @WholeFoods #BreakFreeFromPlastic pic.twitter.com/C1ZaGsNS0P
— Leila (@lchapa06) April 3, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhHX7W7lYxj/
Here’s what you can do.
To fix a problem as large as the plastic pollution crisis, it’s going to take all of us chipping in. You can help keep the pressure on corporations and retailers by sharing your photos of single-use plastic packaging using #BreakFreeFromPlastic and tagging the companies. Then, join the more than one million people worldwide who have signed on to ask corporate polluters to clean up their act.
Ryan Schleeter is a content editor for Greenpeace based in San Francisco, USA.
