Plastic pollutes the ocean long before we use it. And for a long time afterwards. It is harmful throughout its entire life cycle – from its production and use, to its disposal.
The problem begins with oil and gas exploration as raw materials for plastic: Oil and natural gas deposits in the ocean are located with seismic airguns that are so loud that marine animals can die or become deaf. When oil and gas are extracted or during transport, the risk of accidents is high and the hazardous chemicals can spill into the ocean.
The production of plastic is also bad for the climate: Plastic production requires a lot of energy and releases large amounts of CO2. A large part of plastic waste is in turn incinerated, thereby emitting carbon dioxide – or it ends up in the environment.
Around 9 million tonnes of plastic waste get into the ocean every year. Millions of marine animals die because they mistake the plastics for food or get entangled in it.
OceanCare tackles the plastic problem at its roots. We advocate for a global legally binding plastic treaty that regulates plastics at each stage of its life cycle.
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We call on the Swiss federal government: Stop shifting away your responsibility, but apply the instruments already in place within the Environmental Protection Act! Under this law, the Federal Council can ban the single-use plastic items, such as take-away items and plastic bags from the Swiss territory, independent of the material used, and can stop the sale of cosmetic and personal products containing microbeads in Switzerland.
We focus on tackling the root of the problem. A legally-binding agreement is needed to address the full life cycle of plastics – from production to disposal.
Marine animals that ingest plastic or become entangled in plastic waste suffer immensely. We rescue them from their misery in collaboration with professional rescue networks.
You too can make a decision to reduce your plastic footprint. Become an active member of the I Care movement and say no to single-use plastic.
With humorous subjects we show the serious downside of global plastic consumption.
Whether individually when making your purchasing decisions, by taking part in a clean-up campaign like World Cleanup Day, or in the form of a donation: Each and every one of us can join OceanCare in working for cleaner oceans and ensure that marine animals are rescued from plastic waste.
It’s a fact: We all use far too much plastic. With its «I Care» movement, OceanCare aims to bring together people who want to contribute to solving the plastic problem.
We can all help protect the sea by planning our seaside holidays in a more sustainable way. Here are our tips on how this can work.
The «unpackaged» trend makes sense. Not only because less plastic is used. Your health benefits from it, too. Scientific studies confirm that.
Many marine animals get trapped in plastic waste and need help. Around the globe, OceanCare supports rescue workers and ensures that animals in distress are rescued.
you enable OceanCare to advocate for a legally binding agreement that regulates plastic on its entire life cycle – from production to disposal.
Together we can make a difference.
OceanCare
Gerbestrasse 6
CH-8820 Waedenswil (Switzerland)
Credit Suisse, CH-8810 Horgen
IBAN: CH83 0483 5040 8744 0000 0
BIC: CRESCHZZ80A