Sailors are motivated to contribute less to the ocean’s plastic problem, but when plastic is incorporated into almost everything we do, where do we begin? The average American generates over 4 pounds of trash every day, and when we send it to landfill, it becomes out of sight, out of mind. Whether we live on the coast or we sail on landlocked lakes and rivers does not matter: about 95% of the plastic in the ocean originated on land and gets carried through our waterways.
Save all the plastic you use for the next 21 days. Set aside everything from produce stickers, to packaging and wrappers, to bottles and bags. This includes your recyclables!
In the fourth week, we will take inventory of our individual “landfills” and do some citizen science to analyze the results:
Which plastics are actually recyclable, and which are not? Are we “optimistically” recycling?
Which plastics are the worst for our oceans? Is there anything we can reuse?
Most importantly, where can we do better?
This challenge is an opportunity for us to see where we stand so we can start chipping away at our plastic consumption. We hope you’ll give it a try!
A few tips to get started:
Rinse out food and beverage containers to avoid attracting pests or sour smells.
Set aside an old cardboard box or a reusable shopping bag to collect your plastic. Keep one next to each trash can in your home.
Don’t get overwhelmed! It is exercises like these that will help motivate us to do better.
If you run out of space, create a tally sheet to keep track of items you don’t have room for and need to remove.
Post on social media to share your progress and any tips you think of along the way. Use the hashtag #landfillchallenge and #cherishouroceans to challenge your friends!
Related Posts:
Watchkeeping & Passage Planning Planning a multi-day passage can be thrilling or daunting depending on the skill level of the crew. This online class will teach you how preparation and good routines make it easier to be safe, get some rest, and have a smooth sail.
Gulf Islands Flotilla - June 2025 Join fellow sailors in cruising the charming east coast of Vancouver Island and the beautiful Gulf Islands. These islands boast sheltered waters, magnificent marine parks, quiet villages, and welcoming marinas. Wildlife abounds on the land and in the sea, with deer, bald eagles, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and orca…
ASA 217 - Basic Celestial Navigation - Instructor Endorsement Eligible ASA Instructor Candidates may choose to participate in an in-person Basic Celestial Navigation Endorsement Instructor's Qualification Clinic or purchase the ASA 217 Online Course to complete at their own pace.
