Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste make their way from our streets, parks, and public spaces into our rivers, lakes, and oceans. It doesn’t take long. A bottle on the sidewalk gets carried by rain into a storm drain. A gust of wind lifts a snack wrapper from an overflowing trash bin. Piece by piece, it adds up—polluting marine ecosystems, entangling wildlife, and damaging delicate underwater habitats like coral reefs. From sea turtles mistaking plastic for food to seabirds feeding it to their chicks, the impact is heartbreaking—and preventable.
But here’s the good news:
We can stop it.
And we can start right where we are.
At Bigbelly, we believe every space has the power to protect the planet. By rethinking how we manage waste in public places, we can prevent pollution from ever reaching our oceans—and help safeguard the life beneath the waves. The result? Cleaner, safer, more beautiful communities—and a healthier planet for all.
🌍 Small Steps, Big Impact
As part of our All Together for Our Oceans movement this Earth Week, we’re inviting individuals, organizations, and communities to take simple actions that make a powerful difference:
1. Contain Waste at the Source
Plastic doesn’t stay put. That’s why fully enclosed bins are so important—they prevent waste from escaping into the environment, even on windy days or in high-traffic areas.
Whether your organization installs solar-powered smart bins or budget-friendly enclosures, every secure bin helps protect marine life by keeping plastic out of storm drains and waterways. It’s the first and most effective line of defense in protecting our oceans.
2. Rethink Everyday Habits
Refuse single-use plastics when you can. Choose reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils. And when you do throw something away, make sure it goes in a proper, enclosed bin.
Every piece of plastic you keep out of the environment is one less threat to dolphins, whales, fish, and coral reefs.
Small acts add up when we all commit.
3. Share Your Sustainability Story
If you’re leading a cleanup, installing smarter waste infrastructure, or launching a sustainability initiative, share it. Use the hashtag #AllTogetherForOurOceans to inspire others and join the global conversation.
Your story could spark someone else’s action—and help ripple positive change across the world’s waterways.
Stories spark change.
4. Support Smart Solutions
Encourage your local parks, downtowns, campuses, and airports to adopt enclosed public waste systems. Smart bins don’t just contain trash—they reduce collections, cut emissions, and create cleaner experiences for everyone.
And by keeping waste out of storm drains, they play a vital role in keeping harmful plastics out of marine ecosystems.
It’s about making every space part of the solution.
💙 Together, We Can Do Even More
The health of our oceans starts with the choices we make on land. Whether you’re a student, a city official, a visitor, or a business owner—you have a role to play.
Let’s work together to make sure our streets and sidewalks don’t become pathways for pollution. Let’s build a future where public spaces reflect our commitment to a cleaner, greener planet.
Because when we care for the land, we protect the sea—and the creatures who call it home. Every secure bin. Every plastic-free choice. Every story shared. It all matters.
Join the movement. Start where you are.
