The University of South Florida - St. Petersburg in collaboration with Eckerd College released a study this week estimating 4 billion particles of microplastics swirling around in our local waters, these microplastics are small, less then 1/8 an inch and they breakdown from larger waste like water bottles & plastic bags. St. Petersburg has been active in banning plastics, by 2020 an ordinance will go into effect that will eliminate plastic straws and the distribution of Styrofoam products.

According to USA TODAY, the top plastic polluters in the world are: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand. So it’s a nice gesture but unlikely do actually do much in the long run to keep plastics out of the waters. Read more about the study here, I’m going to go have a coffee served in a paper cup and will disintegrate in my hands half way through.