“Say No To Plastic Bags ” was the theme of todays Project AWARE Event !!

There is one simple action we can all take that will have an enormous impact on the health of our planet and its inhabitants. The next time you shop, don’t leave the store carrying a plastic bag. If everyone did this, one of the most lethal polluters created by man would be removed from circulation.

Consider the Following Shocking Facts About Plastic Shopping Bags:

Green turtles often mistake plastic bags for food

  • Production contributes to air pollution and energy consumption
  • Four to five trillion plastic bags are manufactured each year
  • Of those 100 trillion plastic bags, 1% are recycled
  • It takes 1000 years for polyethylene bags to break down
  • Approximately 1 billion seabirds and mammals die per year by ingesting plastic bags
  • Plastic bags are often mistaken as food by marine mammals.
  • 100,000 marine mammals die yearly by eating plastic bags.
  • These animals suffer a painful death, the plastic wraps around their intestines or they choke to death

There are Alternatives to Plastic Bags !!

Countries all over the world are slowly becoming aware of the threat plastic bags present to our world. Many have enacted laws aimed to decrease the use of plastic bags, while others have, or are, planning to impose taxes on the use of plastic bags.

Group of Project AWARE Participants helping with a beach cleanup

TODAY, Downbelow hosted and funded another Project AWARE Beach & Snorkel cleanup at their base on Gaya Island with a clear message ” SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS”

We invited a group from the Asian Tourist International College to help us. This educational event was a huge success with lots of rubbish cleaned up & lots of BBQ chicken eaten ;)

We would like to say a big thankyou to all the gang for their help and as always a special thanks to the Downbelow staff team who not only ensured the day ran safely & smoothly but also took great care of our regular guests who were doing all kinds of activities from various PADI courses & fun dives to discover scuba & snorkeling programs.

Thanks Guys !

Downbelow will be making a donation to the Project Aware Foundation as part of this program in support of their good work.

If anyone wishes to learn more about Project AWARE please visit the Project AWARE Foundation website.

To see more images of this fun day please visit our Facebook page.