11 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Prevent Ocean Pollution

Make simple swaps like purchasing a reusable water bottle instead of reaching for a plastic one every time. If you can, avoid using disposable utensils or straws. Instead, find a travel-friendly set of utensils you can rely on and a set of reusable straws.

Recycling whenever possible is a must. Make sure you're recycling correctly to limit the amount of excess plastic that makes its way into the landfill and potentially the ocean.

Some sunscreens have the potential to suffocate coral reefs. Before purchasing your sunscreen, do some research to determine whether or not it's reef-safe. Look for formulas free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. If you can, choose a mineral-based formula instead of a chemical-based option.

Contact your closest friends and commit to a beach clean-up day. Search for a volunteering opportunity near you, and make it a fun day out! You'll feel so good when you're done, especially because you got to see a real difference being made.

Reduce your carbon emissions by being more conscious in your daily decisions. For example, be mindful to always turn off the lights when you leave a room (leave little notes for yourself, if that helps!), turn off the heat or air conditioning when you're not home, and walk when you can.

Looking to book a vacation soon? Consider planning your next trip with the help of an environmentally friendly travel company like Responsible Travel. You won't find a large cruise ship or elephant-back-riding excursions, but you will find small group vacations complete with exciting volunteer opportunities.

When dining out, look for seafood restaurants with sustainable fishing practices. And in general, stay informed about what fish are still in abundance (the ones you should eat!) and which ones are overfished (that you should avoid eating when you can).

There are plenty of organizations fighting to save our oceans, a few being Oceana, The Ocean Conservancy, and Project AWARE. Sign up for their mailing lists, learn how to take action near you, and, most importantly, get involved in the community.

Finally, speak up to friends, family, and coworkers about what changes you're making to help stop ocean pollution. Volunteer together and hold each other accountable so that together, you can make a difference.