The Great Garbage Swirl - An Update

On March 17, Captain Charles Moore was on The David Letterman Show. Captain Moore is the man who discovered the plastic garbage swirl in the Pacific Ocean. Although Letterman tried a couple of times to make a joke out of the situation, it is no laughing matter.

We, as humans, are dependant on the oceans. If we don't get our plastic consumption under control we are in for a whole lot of hurt.

This interview is in two parts. I hope you will take the time to watch both of them. I hope you will pass this information on to everyone you know.

Part One



Part Two



Click here to see pictures.

I know it's difficult as plastics are everywhere; from the flip-flops we wear in the summer and the containers our food and home items comes in, to our electronics and cars, but we must find ways to recycle, reduce and/or eliminate the use of plastics in our lives. They are a threat not just to us, but to all life on this planet.


Here are some of the things I have done to cut down the use of plastic.


I use:

wax-paper and/or aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap. If I need to cover a bowl I have found that rubber bands hold down wax-paper quite well.

glass storage containers for storing food instead of "disposable" plastic tubs. They clean up so much better than plastic does!

the bags inside cereal boxes instead of zip-lock bags for freezing food. I wrap food in wax paper, put it inside the bag then bind the bag with a rubber band or two to keep it sealed. Works well.

wooden clothes pins, instead of those colorful plastic clips, for keeping bags closed.

vinegar and baking soda for most cleaning to reduce the use of cleaners that come in plastic bottles.

reusable totes for all purchases.


I recycle everything I possibly can.


It's still depressing to look around my home and see all the plastic it still contains. But I'm determined to do all I can and to figure out more ways to reduce and/or eliminate the use of plastic. Join me in the effort before it's too late.