KNOW PLASTICS As a community leader in conservation, Lehigh Valley Zoo, with the support of PA Virtual Charter School, is embarking on the journey of eliminating single-use plastics within the zoo and helping its local community reduce plastic consumption. About 8 million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year; endangering marine wildlife, the ecosystem, and even the food we consume (Coastal Care). That much plastic is equivalent to five grocery bags full of plastic for every foot of the world’s coastline! By 2025, annual plastic input to the world’s oceans and coastlines is expected to be twice as high. By making small conscious changes, we can make a positive, lasting impact to preserve our environment! Need help knowing where to start? Sign our pledge below and see how you can be a part of Radley’s Conservation Crew, sponsored by PA Virtual Charter School! |
ABOUT PLASTICS | #KNOWPLASTICS AT THE ZOO |
TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND SIGN OUR PLEDGE! | |
You can help eliminate single-use plastics by making small changes to your daily lifestyle; all while feeling great about saving the environment!
Did you know it is estimated there is 9 million tons of plastic in the oceans and by 2050 there will be more plastic in the water than fish in the sea (Source)? Humans are already consuming 100 plastic fibers with every meal they eat and 93% of Americans have detectable levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in their bodies (National Institute of Environmental Health Services). By joining our movement, you can save aquatic and land animals alike as we offer smart and innovative ways to decrease plastic consumption and save the oceans! Enter your name and email address to sign our pledge to reduce single-use plastics and get simple tips on how to help save the planet through informative emails and social media posts on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. Want to take things to the next level? Become a Plastic Free Ambassador in your area and help us spread the word! Ask your local restaurants to reduce single-use plastics by signing our pledge. For more information, follow the hashtag #KNOWPLASTICS. |
#KNOW PLASTICS AT THE ZOO |
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Hey! I’m Radley!
I’m a Sea Turtle, and I’m also the ambassador for the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s #KNOW PLASTICS campaign, sponsored by PA Virtual Charter School! I need you to help me reduce single-use plastic waste around our community! About 8 million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year; endangering marine wildlife like me, the ecosystem, and even the food you and I both consume! Together with your help, we’ll communicate Lehigh Valley Zoo’s conservation missions. You might see me hanging around the zoo or showing up for photos at some of our many signature events! I’ll be spreading the message of reducing single-use plastic waste around our community and informing people about the hazards and detrimental effects that plastic waste has on ecosystems and animal species. If you’d like to read a little more about that, check out the facts about plastic below! Thanks! See ya later! –Radley |
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Take Radley home! Radley the Sea Turtle plushes are now available in our Nature Store gift shop. All proceeds will go towards our KNOWPLASTICS campaign as we educate our local community about the importance of finding sustainable options to keep our planet clean.
Get yours today at the Nature Store! |
Use the hashtag #KNOWPLASTICS to get involved on social media! |
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BECOME INVOLVED with these other great resources! |
KNOW MORE ABOUT PLASTICS |
It takes 500 years for a plastic bag to degrade, and it will never break down completely.1 |
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Plastic bags are only used for an average of 12 minutes before being discarded.1 |
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1 in 3 Leatherback Sea Turtles have been found to have plastic material in their stomach.1 |
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By 2050, the world’s oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight.2 |
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8 million metric tons of plastic and waste enter the world’s oceans every year.3 |
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Over 150 million tons of plastic waste already reside in world’s oceans.4 |
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Plastic comprises approximately 80 percent of all marine litter.5 |
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Great Pacific Garbage Patch spans 1.6 million km², or 3x the area of France.6 |
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Plastics have impacted nearly 700 marine species.7 |
1 Center for Biological Diversity | 2 Washington Post | 3 UN Evironment Assembly | 4 Ocean Conservancy |
5 Coastal Care | 6 EarthSky | 7 As You Sow |