There's a classic 70's song by Spirit called "Natures Way".  It's an oldie but lyrically couldn't be more timely and goes: "Its natures way of telling you something's wrong"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsTK2LHZKPQ .

Now that our human world is socially hibernating in their homes, Mother Nature has a temporary hall pass from our polluting ways.  It's like the eco-system is happy again; the skies are clearer, birds are chirping louder as noise pollution is on low volume and sea life is more evident in our bays and shorelines.   

WHAT IF we could all hit a personal re-set button and share in natures happy dance by being kinder and gentler to our environment.   Once the human flood gates open again and its safe to resume some semblance of life as we knew it, pre-corona, how can we make a difference? 

I have one word for you:  PLASTICS.  In the 1967 classic film The Graduate, plastic was touted as the new-fangled product sweeping the globe!  Grocery supply chains switched from glass to plastic because it was cheaper, lighter and easier to dispose Tupperware parties were all the rage.  Plastic was the new "it" material!  

Cut to 2020:  Plastic bottles spot our shoreline like large, dirty, gum-ball colors in place of seashells.  Plastic bags drift in with the tide entangling our marine life while fish are ingesting small, broken, particles of floating plastic bits which in turn we are eating.  Single use plastic like disposable cutlery, cups and bags account for 50% of plastic usage and waste.  

The Great Pacific Garbage dump has a span of over 1.8 BILLION TONS of PLASTIC WASTE!!!   How's that for Natures way of telling you something's WRONG!!! 

So what small steps can we all personally do to make a difference? Check out these easy ways you can do to start reducing waste in your every day life! 

1.  Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw
2. Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bag and be sure to wash them often! 
3. Give up gum. Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, aka plastic. 
4. Buy boxes instead of bottles. Often, products like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic.
5. Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging. 
6. Reuse containers for storing leftovers or shopping in bulk.
7. Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages, even when ordering from a to-go shop
8. Bring your own container for take-out or your restaurant doggy-bag since many restaurants use styrofoam. 
9. Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters or invest in a refillable metal lighter. 
10. Avoid buying frozen foods because their packaging is mostly plastic. Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Plus you'll be eating fewer processed foods! 
11. Don't use plasticware at home and be sure to request restaurants do not pack them in your take-out box.
12. Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you.
13. The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the US each year. Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby's carbon footprint and save money. 
14. Make fresh squeezed juice or eat fruit instead of buying juice in plastic bottles. It's healthier and better for the environment.
15. Make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner.
16. Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. Also, opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bulk items instead of products that come in single serving cups.
17. Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor

Surf-Souleil  is determined to be part of the solution by using Sustainable manufacturing practices and creating products through economically-sound processes that minimize negative environmental impact.  Our products are proudly handcrafted in the USA by skilled craftspeople who are paid fair wages.

We use sustainable-swim-fabrics spun from plastic-bottles that would otherwise be in landfills or our oceans. We minimize waste by using recycled-materials, repurpose fabric scraps, and organic or eco-friendly fabrics whenever possible to create products you can be proud to wear. 

It feels good to give back to the planet and it's not that hard to do.  So when life resumes do your part to make the environment a cleaner, safer place so natures way can live on.