Aquariums from coast to coast shift away from single-use plastic products and packaging, rally consumers to build market demand for innovative alternatives Monterey, CA /PRNewswire/ – Nineteen aquariums across the United States have joined forces and created a new Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) to address one of the gravest threats facing ocean and freshwater animals – plastic pollution.
Today, the ACP announced the launch of a nationwide consumer campaign and a business commitment to drive a shift away from single-use plastic among their visitors, in their communities and beyond.
"The public trusts aquariums to do what’s right for the health of the ocean and for ocean wildlife," said Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Through the national "In Our Hands" campaign, the ACP hopes to empower their 20 million visitors and millions more in their communities to switch from single-use plastic, toward innovative alternatives.
In hopes of additional plastic reduction, the aquariums have also committed to: Significantly reduce or eliminate plastic beverage bottles by December 2020 Showcase innovative alternatives to single-use plastic in their facilities "As leaders in aquatic conservation, aquariums are expected to walk their talk, and that’s exactly what this partnership is meant to do," said National Aquarium CEO John Racanelli.
"Approximately 22 million pounds of plastic flows into the Great Lakes each year – in Lake Michigan alone, it is equivalent to 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools filled with bottles," said Shedd Aquarium President and CEO Dr. Bridget Coughlin.
They are working with business partners to showcase innovative alternatives to single-use plastic products, and will collaborate with vendors to accelerate design of new products and materials.
The aquariums are also using their collective voice – at the local, state and national level – to support policies that reduce the flow of plastic pollution into the ocean, rivers and lakes.
"The solution to plastic pollution is in our hands."
About the Aquarium Conservation Partnership The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) is a collaboration of 19 public aquariums across North Americacommitted to advancing conservation and advocacy of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers through public action, business leadership and policy changes aimed at addressing major threats to aquatic environments.