Top 5 Ocean Friendly Businesses in Key West on Why We Need a Nationwide Ban on Styrofoam
Only 16% of US States have Banned Styrofoam, or Polystyrene, a Carcinogenic, Non-Biodegradable Plastic that’s Poluting our Oceans
Let’s Pass a *Nationwide* Ban, Now.
Science from Top 5 Ocean-Friendly Businesses in Key West Area
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take a recent trip to Key West, at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. This was a trip for writing, music and oceans research, as well as mental and physical health. This is one of two articles I am writing that came from this journey, and this is the more science-based, call-to-action encouraging effort.
Raising my twins in Marin County, California and having known of local polystyrene bans and bans in other States, I was unaware that much of the rest of the country was still using polystyrene or styrofoam. Maui, Hawaii went Foam Free several years ago. I question why the rest of Hawaii has not followed their lead? Like Key West, Florida, Maui has a protected coral reef; the fringing reef, Olowalu. Key West made me more aware of the need for a nationwide ban for several reasons. When you see the beauty of a coral reef, tropical fish or dolphins swimming next to you first hand, as well as local beach trash which is often plastics and styrofoam, it quickly changes the way you think about enforcing bans and conservation.
Similarly, when you see a popular cuban and family run coffee shop in Key West (that has been in business for 60 years) handing out coffee in styrofoam cups, it is upsetting. Sandy’s Cafe, a popular coffee shop and neighborhood staple to the community, is just 6 miles from the only barrier coral reef in the United States. This should make it more important for them to stop using styrofoam and polystyrene which often ends up in the ocean. They weren’t the only restaurant that gave me a styrofoam cup. The Mediteranean restaurant across the street also gave me a styrofoam cup. Even though the coffee was excellent, I felt frustrated that something as simple as changing to paper or plant-based cups has not been put into practice here. I hear there is a styrofoam ban in the works in Key West, but it doesn’t hurt to report the businesses that are still using styrofoam to your local Board of Health. They can help.
I had the opportunity to visit five ocean-based businesses in the Keys who are working to protect and educate about ocean sustainability:
- ReefRelief.org A local, Key West non-profit that educates children and students about coral reefs and sustainable practices to protect oceans, coral and marine animals. They had an infographic on their door that visually showed the different types of trash and their affects on the ocean. “Styrofoam is forever”, it read, and depicted a styrofoam cup on top of a living coral. Reef Relief offers Coral Camp(which is currently full for Spring Break) and they offer online classes and local beach cleanup events. Also available for all are 28 online Marine Science Virtual Lessons.
Watch the video lesson from Reef Relief below on “Plastics” which will tell you everything that ends up in our oceans and how most of it contains plastics and often, polystyrene.
2. HonestEco.org This Key West business has the ONLY 5 point, NOAA-certified (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) sustainable boat trips in Key West. They have a solar, electric boat, “SQUID” that takes children and adults to view dolphins, snorkel safely over corals, sponges, fish and rays and return with the knowledge from a marine biologist on-board all tours. Honest Eco tours have organic food, filtered water, and reuseable cups on-board, from local organic cafe and grocer,
3. Date & Thyme Organic Cafe & Market Try their Spring Roll Wrap!
4. Turtle Hospital and Sea Turtle Rescue, Marathon Florida
This non-profit offers the most vivid and real opportunity to see the damage human behaviors and pollution are doing to marine animals, first hand. As a warning, this tour is very popular, but it is also very disturbing to see up-close the injuries humans have caused to turtles that force them to remain in this facility for life. Although some turtles are rescued and may be released back into the oceans, a good percentage with boat and jetski strike injuries must remain in the hospital pools permanently because they can no longer dive below the surface to hunt for food or escape prey. Though it was great to see the turtles here, this made me very sad. The older I get, the more I tend to hate humans and our obnoxious behaviors that damage the planet.
Our guide at the Turtle Hospital shared the MANY ways humans have polluted our oceans, from trash(like styrofoam) to run-off pollutants from yards and lawns which have upset the water chemistry in ALL of Florida. The turtle grasses, which juvenille turtle mostly eat, are full of chemicals and a virus(similar to Herpes) is causing tumors on the turtles. The dirty water and contaminated turtle grass are making young, green sea turtles sick. Juvenille Green Sea Turtles often arrive at the Hospital covered with large tumors that need to be removed before they can be released.
Watch the below video to hear directly from our Turtle expert at the Hospital to learn how they rescue and help sea turtles and what you can do to help. The Turtle Hospital tour in Marathon, Florida is excellent and popular. Make a reservation. Marathon is also home to the Aquarium.
5. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, Marathon, Florida
Also in Marathon, just down the road from the Turtle Rescue Center, is a 30 year business, Aquarium Encounters. They provide aquarium visits and immersive experiences… You can actually snorkel here and do certified dives inside their aquarium. They call these unique, immersive dives, “Encounters”, and you can get in the tank and swim with corals, fish and stingrays. To learn about their conservation efforts, click here. Watch a video about their encounters, below.
These five Florida Keys businesses can educate you and your families about organic living, climate change, ocean sustainability, current trends in marine biology and plastic pollution.
Eight US States have banned styrofoam (polystyrene):
1. DC
2. Maryland
3. Maine
4. Vermont
5. New York (Click here to see how NY is implementing their ban)
6. New Jersey
7. Washington
*8. Colorado (begins in 2024)
Click here to learn how you can help start a Polystyrene/Styrofoam ban in your community from the Sierra Club website. (It’s important to note that just because your town may have banned polystyrene, the neighboring towns may not be there yet) You can help!
View Foam Free NY flyer. View Foam Free NY card.
Some acceptable alternatives to Polystyrene containers are pictured below, though the best choice is always to avoid single use plastics and bring your own reusable cup, mug, thermos or mason jar.
