We’ve all done it. We’re in a huge rush and walk into a store and quickly grab all the items on our list, check out and get on with our lives. Maybe you were in desperate need of face wash, disposable razors or a massive water bottle to get you through the day. Whatever it is you need, you know you can rely on the trusty Duane Reade on the corner to set you up for success.

But did you ever stop to think what the impact all those purchases will have after you’re done with them?

The majority of the items we purchase on a daily basis are either made of plastic or come packaged in plastic. Not to mention, the handy bag that you took to hold all these items is likely made of plastic as well. And once you toss out all this plastic, there is a high chance that it will end up in a body of water that leads to the ocean.

The fact is, there are 270,000 tons of plastic currently floating at the ocean’s surface and millions more sitting on the sea floor. While some might think otherwise, the oceans are not our personal plastic receptacles. They are home to countless marine species who rely on the health of their environment for survival. Recent studies have found that plastic debris in the oceans threatens over 700 species with extinction due to entanglement, consumption and environmental degradation. Not cool.

To bring attention to all of the animals who are suffering as a result of our plastic problem, Surfrider Foundation has released a series of brilliant ads that are sure to make you rethink all the plastic in your life.

As the ad reads, “26 million tons of plastic packaging waste ends up in oceans every year.” That’s just packaging alone!

Although many of the plastic items we buy may be convenient for us, we have to think about who is really paying the price.

It takes hundreds of years for the plastics we throw in the ocean to break down. This means that marine life will be threatened with pollution for years to come if we don’t start cleaning up our act now!

To learn more about how you can reduce your plastic consumption, click here. And remember, when you  buy, marine life pays. 

Let’s #CrushPlastic! Click the graphic below for more information.

All image source: Surfrider/Ads of the World