In the past few years (as two 14 year olds), we have learned more about the vast amount of plastic waste that is entering our oceans day by day. Plastic waste is killing, and is contaminating the wildlife we rely on for food and is ruining our loved costal ecosystems. Massachusetts has always been a leader in innovative policies, and we believe in taking  a stand through advocating for banning single-use plastics. Especially non-essential ones such as bags, utensils, and straws.

The Ocean Blue Project states that, around 8 to 11 million tons of plastic enter the world's oceans every year, making up 85% of total marine debris. With an estimated 75 to 199 million tons already floating or sunken in marine environments, this pollution threatens over 700 species and results in the annual deaths of 100,000 marine mammals. 

A Pew Research study finds that annual plastic pollution entering the broader environment will reach 280 million metric tons—the equivalent of dumping one garbage truck of plastic waste into the environment every single second by 2040.

This demonstrates why it is critical to ban single use plastics, and we can start here in Massachusetts. 

Sustainable solutions are within reach : encourage businesses to switch to biodegradable packaging, educate the public on minimizing plastic use through recycling and responsible choices, and try to limit the single use plastics in your daily life.

Join us in calling on the Massachusetts State Legislature to pass legislation that will eliminate these harmful plastics from our daily lives.

We love the ocean and consider it our duty to help. Earth is counting on us to ban single use plastics and to help save marine life! Please sign this petition if you want to help save the oceans and believe that humans deserve another chance to make things right.  :) Thank you!