Plastic pollution: How you can help

Annually, a staggering 18 billion pounds of plastic pollutes waterways worldwide, according to a University of Georgia study.

Locally, St. Petersburg Council Member Gina Driscoll and other supporters recently launched the “No Straws St. Pete” campaign to reduce plastic straw consumption among restaurants and consumers.

Three ways to reduce your plastic consumption:

– Refuse single-use plastics when possible. Equip yourself with reusable bottles, utensils, straws and bags.

– When you recycle, make sure you’re recycling right.

– Contact your local elected official to demand meaningful regulations to reduce plastic pollution, protecting our waterways.

– Andrew Hayslip, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper