There are currently more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean, yet companies and communities continue to use disposable products. Garbage patches the size of small islands sit in the ocean. People are shocked and saddened by the amount of municipal waste we produce, but neglect to change their habits for the sake of convenience. Corporations advertise recycling, while they continue to manufacture single-use products. When are people going to realize that their actions have an impact on the world around them?

Countless solutions have already been presented in an effort to reduce waste, but for whatever reason, people believe that they don’t need to change, that they are not a part of the problem. The fact is, every one of us is part of the problem. We need to step up and say no to single-use products, and show companies that there are other ways to live that don’t include 4.4 pounds of trash every day. The world needs to realize that they can’t just throw things away, because “away” no longer exists.