Every year, millions of metric tons of plastic enter the ocean. It’s difficult to say how much exactly, but by some estimates, it’s upwards of 13 million annually.[1] Tragically, that number is only projected to grow. The need for innovative solutions is now.
Over the last century, this revolutionary material made from fossil fuels has led to advances in countless industries. From medical to auto to apparel to food and beverage and so much more, plastic is a critical part of our everyday lives.
While it’s certainly done a lot of good, it’s also created a serious ecological disaster, with oceans and beaches choking on plastic. The effect on marine wildlife is devastating and deadly, as fish, birds, sea turtles, and ocean mammals end up eating or getting caught in plastic. Not to mention the harmful chemicals found in plastics that are also released into the ocean.
Much of this marine debris is made up of single-use items like grocery bags and water bottles that will take hundreds of years to degrade despite being used only once. Even worse, as some of these products break down, they never fully degrade and instead end up as tiny pieces of plastic. Scientists have yet to understand the full impact of these microplastics on the ocean.
No one is comfortable disrupting delicate ecosystems or causing the suffocation, drowning, or starvation of ocean creatures. Yet, the world we live in is dependent on the production and use of plastic, often in the name of convenience and consumerism.
Experts have noted that unless waste management practices across the world improve, this problem will only continue to get worse. Most of us can’t establish highly efficient recycling plants in densely populated areas, but there are a few things we can do to make a difference, like reducing the use of single-use and disposable plastics and participating in a marine litter cleanup effort.
If you’re looking to do more, eveelife.com has you covered. We are always on the lookout for fun and innovative ways to make our world (and our oceans) a better place. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of this massive problem, but everyday choices can make a big impact. There is a growing movement to “vote with your dollar” by aligning your values with your purchases. In other words, do good by supporting businesses that promote green practices.
GOT BAGs allows you to do this with style. Consumers can make a statement by becoming part of the GOT BAG community. Their sleek, stylish, durable bags, backpacks, and accessories are all part of a greater environmental effort. Founder Benjamin Mandos explains, “With our mission, we want to tackle the advancing plastic pollution of our oceans and encourage a more conscious use of natural resources.”
Since 2016, GOT BAGs has been working on removing and reusing plastic from the ocean. The resourceful company has successfully collected more than 1.2 million pounds of Ocean Impact Plastic which consists of plastic from the oceans and mangroves, as well as ocean-bound plastic found in rivers and coastal areas.
The company has thoughtfully developed a system that tackles this problem at its source, focusing on the second-highest generator of ocean plastic in the world, Indonesia. Due to a variety of factors, including population size, the number of people living near the coast, and the lack of waste management systems, Indonesia is the perfect spot to collect plastic and create change.
GOT BAGs works with a network of more than 2,000 fishermen and women on the north coast of Java. Through their efforts, they work to remove plastic from the area, including the beach, rivers, and the ocean. GOT BAGs then cleans, sorts, and presses the PET portion of the plastics into the raw material that makes up the company’s signature sustainable products. They go a step further by sending the other types of plastics (PP, HDPE, and residual materials) to the appropriate recycling facilities. GOT BAGs is continually looking to advance its processes, systems, and products to make them even more sustainable and impactful.
GOT BAG offers an interactive personal backpack guide to help shoppers choose their perfect bag. From start to finish, GOT BAG makes saving the planet a fun and stylish proposition. Find a customized bag that considers your:
Shipping is free, which is great but what makes it fantastic is that all their sustainable products are shipped CO2-neutrally. This means that they use the lowest emission-intensive modes of transportation feasibly possible and then carbon offset the rest. With a two-year standard warranty, you can feel confident in the quality of your new GOT BAG rolltop, daypack, weekender, shower bag, or steel bottle. Visit their website to check out all of their sustainable and versatile products.
If you’re devoted to pursuing the #decadeofaction with thought, word, and deed and want to stay up to date on the newest products, content, and companies that are committed to changing the world, “Join the Charge!” Sign up for eveelife.com notifications and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Together as a community, we can help eco-conscious consumers like you spread the word, live their values, and make good on a carbon-free life.
[1] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1260352?siteid=sci&keytype=ref&ijkey=BXtBaPzbQgagE
Published October 21, 2022 7:26PM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
