The Blue Paradox

05/02/2025

The fight against ocean plastic waste is more urgent than ever. But so is the momentum.

Thousands have come together to encourage action on recycling policy and imagine a world with less plastic pollution. That’s why we’re relaunching the Blue Paradox – to show what’s at stake and what’s possible.

Join the movement:

Join The Blue Paradox movement for sustainable solutions to end the plastic pollution crisis.

01/08/2025

“In the span of a few decades, plastics became the material of choice for single-use items: packaging, fast food containers, and everyday conveniences..”

While plastic is a modern marvel that is used in almost every aspect of our lives, we still need a better way to manage its disposal to protect our oceans and our planet.

Our single use economy generates 350 million tons of plastic waste each year. Learn the story of how the planet got hooked on plastic and what we must do to clean it up.

01/06/2025

Plastic has been found in every major body of water on the planet, with over 24 trillion particles in our oceans’ upper waters, impacting marine life and livelihoods. Despite the growing issue, we can all still be a part of the solution. (NOAA) (Isobe et al (2021))

01/02/2025

“The UN Development Programme reports that 84% of the Gambia’s plastic waste is improperly managed.”

The crisis won’t go away unless we work together to find solutions. A global plastics treaty can create the collaboration needed to drive change at a fast enough pace to protect our oceans.

Tourists flock to the country’s dazzling beaches, but its vast, smoking waste sites tell a different story – one that the government is keen to change

12/31/2024

Each year, the global apparel industry contributes nearly 8.3 million tons of plastic waste, mainly from synthetic clothing like polyester, nylon and spandex. When these microfibers end up in our oceans, it can harm marine life and even end up in the human body.

We must act now to protect our planet from the harms of the plastic waste crisis. (Plastic Pollution Coalition) (Cotton Today)

12/26/2024

With nearly 46 million tons of plastic produced in the United States each year, we must work together to ensure it is all disposed of properly as to not impact our waterways.

We can all make a difference in the plastic waste crisis by signing our pledge, committing to reducing our plastic footprints.

The Blue Paradox Movement: To solve the plastic waste crisis, it’s going to take individuals, businesses and governments — all of us. We must change how we produce, use, reuse and recycle plastic.

12/23/2024

The plastic waste crisis won’t disappear overnight, it’ll take collective action to make a difference. Visit the Blue Paradox exhibit at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to learn more about the crisis and become a part of the change.

12/19/2024

Researchers from Rice University are studying how mussels can help biodegrade plastic particles even further, making clean ups easier and more efficient.

While the plastic waste crisis is a growing issue, scientists are developing innovative ways to address the crisis, improving the qualities of our oceans.

Rice University scientists have tapped into nature's adhesive genius—the sticky power of mussels—to create bioengineered microorganisms with powerful cling that could help transform environmental cleanup. By combining this amplified sticking force with an enzyme that breaks down harmful plastics...

12/18/2024

Nearly 14 billion tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year, making up a vast majority of ocean debris.

We need to change how we think about recycling to prevent more plastic waste from entering our waters and to keep healthy ecosystems for marine life. (The Marine Mammal Center) (Oceana)

12/13/2024

Improperly discarded plastic is one of the leading causes of death for Right whales. Today, there are only about 370 North Atlantic Right Whales remaining.

You can help protect our marine life.

Visit https://www.blueparadox.com/en/take-action to learn how you can take action today. (NOAA Fisheries)

12/12/2024

What happens to one sea turtle can happen to many. By joining the Blue Paradox movement, we can tell Congress to rethink our recycling policies, which could help save thousands of marine animals impacted by plastic waste.

The hawksbill sea turtle, a critically endangered species, was tangled in plastic with a flipper severed.

12/10/2024

Today, there are 1,046 recycling facilities in the United States. While recycling efforts have grown since 1972, stronger federal regulations are needed if we want to make meaningful progress against the ocean plastic waste crisis. (Virginia Recycling Association) (IBIS World)