It’s time to celebrate Raptoberfest throughout the entire month of October.

What is Raptoberfest?

Raptoberfest is a reminder that there are numerous things we can do to reduce our plastic footprint. As many of us already know, plastics do not biodegrade. Instead, they gradually break down into smaller pieces, and eventually harm the environment upon infiltration, killing millions of birds and animals annually.

Sponsored by The Surfrider Foundation and Rusty, this fest shares plastic-related facts plus tips on how to minimize plastic use. The goal is to raise awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution and find solutions. Participants are invited to share their own tips on reducing individual plastic footprints via Surfrider’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Three interesting plastic-related facts include:

1) In certain places of the ocean, the amount of suspended plastic particles actually outnumbers ambient plankton

2) Approximately one million seabirds and one hundred thousand marine mammals die from ingestion or entanglement in plastics each year

3) With the exception of a small amount that has been incinerated, virtually every piece of plastic that has ever been created still exists in some shape or form

Unfortunately, plastic has a devastating impact on the environment and marine life. Although plastics have helped manufacturing, shipping and packaging of goods for less money, unfortunately, the rise of plastics poses a significant threat to the planet.

A list of “10 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint” is also posted on the site and offers practical ways to cut back on plastic waste.

For more information, go to http://www.raptoberfest.org/