Simply by being an informed consumer you can ensure that your purchases don’t negatively impact the ocean—or your health.

Everything we buy, use and throw away can in some way affect the health of the ocean. For ways to be a sustainability-savvy shopper—from the seafood we eat to what we use to decorate, power and clean our homes—see the following tips on how you can help keep the ocean and yourself healthy.

Buy and Serve Sustainable Seafood

Check the KidSafe Seafood sustainability rankings to ensure that the seafood you purchase or prepare is good for the environment. To learn more about taking care of the ocean, eating ocean-friendly seafood, and other useful information, visit:

• Environmental Defense Fund
• Monterey Bay Aquarium-Seafood Watch Program
• National Geographic-Seafood Decision Guide
• Seafood Choices Alliance
• SeaWeb

Refuse, Reuse and Recycle

Land-based pollutants account for 80 percent of marine debris. Consider whether you really need something before you buy, buy environmentally friendly products and recycle as much as possible.

Refuse
Don’t buy non-environmentally friendly products or those you don’t need. Become an eco-savy shopper and read your labels!

• Many eco-conscious organizations are trying to reduce their ecological footprint, and are proud to show it. Support companies that make an effort to display their use of recycled or recyclable materials.
• Look for environmentally friendly products benefiting the environment and you. Several organizations provide both environmental and health information so you don’t contaminate your body or our waterways.
• Buy organic meat and produce—agricultural, animal and chemical runoff pollutes our oceans, rivers and streams.
• Shop at your local farmers market. Locally grown products decrease pollution associated with air, land and ocean travel.
• Look for certification labels: companies that subject their products to outside examination usually have less to hide and hold themselves to higher standards.
• Marine Stewardship Council
• Seafood Safe
• Forestry Stewardship Council
• Fair Trade Federation

Reuse:
The most prevalent form of marine debris are plastics. Reduce your plastic waste by:

• Using reusable grocery bags rather than plastic bags.
• Using reusable water bottles rather than disposable plastic water bottles.
• Avoid purchasing products with excessive amounts of packing.
• Opting out of getting “to go” single use containers.
• Bringing a travel mug to your favorite coffee shop; many offer a discount for using your own mug.
• Bring reusable containers to restaurants for leftovers.

Recycle:
A plethora of organizations offer to do your dirty work for you. In addition, many local governments offer services for their residences to recycle hard-to-handle, hazardous or obscure items.

• To locate a recycling center visit Earth 911 or your local environmental or service department’s website.
• Aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles: Take your old soda cans and bottles to recycling centers or reverse vending machines.
• Batteries: Recycle your used batteries at hazardous waste disposal sites or with companies specializing in battery disposal.
• Books: Programs like cash4books purchase used books for cash. Many thrift stores also accept book donations for resale.
• Car Batteries: Contact the manufacturer; many times they will pay you to return your used battery for parts.
• CDs: Don’t contribute to the millions of CDs thrown away each year. Several organizations provide recycling services to dispose of your old CDs for you. Websites such as SecondSpin will buy your old CDs
• Electronics: Currently, 75 percent of old appliances end up in landfills, while more than 85 percent of electronic materials are recyclable. Many websites offer to take your old, unwanted electronics and even pay for them. Sites such as Gazelle, ecycle and buymytronics and others offer cash in exchange for your old electronics.
• Food Wrappers: Terracycle offers cash for bulk collections of your wrappers.
• Ink Cartridges: Some companies offer store credit for bringing in your old printer ink cartridges. Check with your local office supply store.
• Kitchen appliances: Sell, donate, transform, or disassemble for parts old appliances that are unwanted but still functional.
• Lightbulbs: Some companies offer mail in kits to best dispose of your unwanted lightbulbs.
• Motor Oil: Your old motor oil can be refined and recycled to create lubrication oil.
• Pharmaceuticals: Correctly dispose of your old medication or donate your extra medication. Consult with your local pharmacist who may be able to dispose of your unwanted pharmaceuticals for you, or check your state department of Environmental Protection for hazardous waste disposal events in your area. If handling at home, do not flush your pharmaceuticals down the toilet, allowing toxic chemicals into our waterways. Rather, crush them up, dissolve in water and mix with coffee grounds, sawdust, or litter in a sealed bag before you throw them away. For more information, review the White House Drug Policy or the EPA’s guidelines.
• Tires: Many autobody shops will take your old tires back and reuse them.

Click here to learn what else you can do to help the ocean.