MRK QUick Kit
Let's
TaLK
Trash
and
dish the dirt
on plastic
Advocate - Educate - engage
Matanzas Riverkeeper environmental education kits are
supported by a grant from the
Contents
Trash Talk
All about the Plastic Problem.
Tackling plastic pollution
Step-by-step timeline with details and ideas for your cleanup - including a cheat sheet and planning list.
Step up, Speak Out
Contact state and local lawmakers to PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE.
Contacts and Resources
State and local contacts, resource library
The Matanzas Riverkeeper
Overview of the Matanzas Riverkeeper mission and team contacts.
Did you know?
- Less than 9% of plastics are recycled in the US.
- Americans use approximately 500,000,000 plastic straws each day.
- Worldwide, more than 1 million plastic bags are used each minute and less than 1% are recycled.
- The equivalent of one garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute.
- More than 1 million marine animals die each year due to entanglement and ingestion of marine debris and plastic pollution (Sea Turtle Conservancy).
- Plastics never fully disappear but simply break down into smaller "micro" plastics. The chemical composition doesn't change, just the size of the pollutant.
Explore
"
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not."
- The Lorax
According to the US Census Bureau, the population of St. Johns County increased by an astounding 43% between 2010 and 2020. Rapid growth can create economic opportunities but it also comes with a multitude of problems that seriously threaten our waterways.
As a general rule, more people equals more pollution. Single-use plastics and marine debris have created a global environmental crisis with severe impacts to water quality, human health, and marine life.
We are not going to recycle our way out of this one.
It's time to look at the facts and make changes.
WATCH THIS VIDEO!
It's short and scary.
Microplastics, Recycling, and bioplastics
mICroplastics
UGH. They're everywhere!
Microplastics are defined as any plastic particle or fiber less than 5 mm in size. They are found in air, land, and water - even our tap water! They have been recently found in marine animals and humans.
recycling
Ignorance is NOT bliss.
Do you actually know what can be recycled? Not a lot. It's best to REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, and RETHINK.
BIOPLASTICS
bioplastics
Don't let them fool you!
Many restaurants use bioplastics they claim can be quickly recycled. In fact, SJC does not have a bioplastic recycling center making the chance for bioplastic recycling highly unlikely.
Try to beat me with better than a 4 out of 6!
More About
marine debris
Click on the following links to learn more
about Marine Debris. Pick one, any one!
ACT
"
"Many of us ask what can I, as one person, do, but history shows us that everything good and bad starts because somebody does something or does not do something."
- Sylvia Earle
Now it's time for you to get your hands dirty and help fight plastic pollution by doing a cleanup event or project.
Select one (or both) of the following activities.
1) HOST A CLEAN UP
Choose a beach, park, waterway, or your neighborhood - wherever you like to hang out. Go solo, invite your friends, or host a giant event. Go big or keep it small. The choice is yours!
You can also join a scheduled cleanup event to make logistics easy.
Don't forget the data!
Data about what kind of trash you clean up helps scientists and lawmakers make better decisions.
- Don't forget to enter "Matanzas Riverkeeper" as the Group.
- If you don't want to use the app, you can use a paper tracker instead.
- Picking up trash and collecting data at the same time can be tricky. Tell volunteers to use the buddy system - one person to pick up trash and one person to record the data.
"With Clean Swell®, simply “Start Collecting” trash wherever you are around the world and the data you collect will instantaneously upload to Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database."
2) Creative Cleanup Project
Think outside the box and spread the word on the plastic problem. Get creative! Make a difference in your own way. Utilize technology, art, writing, music, or whatever floats your boat. Do something you love to protect what you love!
Site Location:
Date:
Time:
Location
Site is safe
I have permission to work at site
Site is accessible
Adequate parking is available
Visible location for "check-in" station
Take BEFORE photos and videos
Promotion
Talk with local businesses to secure supplies and advertising
Create flyers and promo materials
Solicit participants and create volunteer list
Recycling and Disposal
Recycling will go:
Trash will be hauled by:
Emergency Situations
First Aid kits are available
If entangled or injured animals, call ARK Wildlife Rescue and Rehab at 904-679-1533 or 678-523-3754
Do not handle needles and/or medical waste!
Supplies
Supplies
Buckets or trashbags
Gloves
Grabbers (if available)
Hat and sunscreen
Water and snacks
Insect repellent
Shoes that will protect your feet
CAMERA
Planning Checklist
Day of Event
Check-in Station
Volunteer check-in sheets and pens
Safety Tip Sheets (drink water, wear sunscreen, etc.)
First aid kit
Water and snack area
Trash app QR codes or data cards, if using
Extra supplies - buckets, gloves, trashbags, grabbers, sunscreen, bug spray
Trash Collection
Dumpsters and trash drop zones clearly visible and marked
Recycle bins clearly labeled
Estimate weight of trash collected
Document Event
Take photos and videos
Data cards collected
Total # of volunteers recorded
Wrap Up
End of Event
Trash and recycling properly disposed of
Staging areas are cleaned up
Prizes and kudos awarded, if applicable
CAS hour certificates delivered, if applicable
Host post-cleanup celebration (music, food), if applicable
Take AFTER photos and videos
Post Event
Complete MRK Showcase documentation CLICK HERE for link
Thank you notes to event sponsors
Continue advocating for the Matanzas with local and state leaders! CLICK HERE for list
Notes and Ideas
Spread the word on social media!
Share your projects, events, thoughts, and experience on social media. Use TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram to educate and inspire others.
#protectwhatyoulove
#mrkshowcase
#matanzasriverkeeper
advocate
Verb. To publicly recommend or support.
Synonyms: champion, stand up for
ADVOCATE
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
"
— Margaret Mead
"
Advocate
Step Up, Speak out
Great job on your clean up! Now turn your actions into advocacy by contacting your state and local law makers.
Did you know...?
Not only does Florida not have a statewide law to regulate single-use plastic/foam, but Florida has preemption laws that prevent counties and cities from taking action to reduce certain single-use plastic and foam. Basically, there is a bans on plastic bans! In July of 2019, the people of St. Augustine Beach passed an ordinance to ban restaurants and shops from giving out single-use plastic straws, bags, and foam containers, but because of the preemption law, St. Augustine Beach was forced to repeal the ordinance. 😫
SOURCE:
continue to Take Action
Write a quick email to Governor Desantis at GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com or call his office directly at (850) 717-9337. Tell him that local governments should be able to ban single-use plastics.
Here is a sample email/ script to get you started. Feel free to copy and paste this into your email, but be sure to modify it to make it unique. You can add information about what you've learned about plastic pollution and your cleanup experience.
Dear _____,
My name is ___ and I live in ____. I am very concerned about plastic pollution, and I am outraged that there are preemptions in the state of Florida that prevent my town from passing ordinances to reduce certain single use plastics.
Plastic pollution is a threat to our oceans and marine life, to human health, to climate, and to our tourism based economy. My friends and I did a cleanup where we picked up ______ pounds of trash - most of which was plastic. Local municipalities should have home rule power to address this issue. I would like you to support a bill to repeal the preemptions on regulations regarding single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam.
Sincerely,
____________
A picture is worth 1000 words, so don't forget to include them.
Rise Above Plastics Toolkit
CLICK HERE to access Surfrider's Plastic Campaign and Policy Resources - including a great advocacy toolkit.
SOURCE: Surfrider Foundation
Want to take your advocacy to the next level? Share your thoughts and efforts with other elected officials or media outlets to bring more attention to the issue.
local commissioners
St Augustine city Commissioners
Website: www.citystaug.com/582/City-Commission
Phone: 904-825-1006
Email: cosa@citystaug.com
Twitter: @CityStAug
St Augustine Beach Commissioners
Website: www.staugbch.com/citycommission
Phone: 904-471-2122
Email: Mayor, Don Samora, comdsamora@cityofsab.org
St johns county commissioners
Website: www.sjcfl.us/Commissioners/index.aspx
Phone: 904-209-0300
Find your district: http://www.sjcfl.us/MySJCFL/index.aspx
Twitter: @StJohnsCounty
Fl state leaders
Governor - Ron Desantis (r)
US senator - marco rubio
Email: rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Phone: 202-224-3041
Website: www.rubio.senate.gov
Instagram: @ senatormarcorubio
Us senator - rick scott
Phone: 904-479-7227
Website: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Twitter @ScottforFlorida
Fl state senator, district 7
travis hutson
FL house of representatives
Find your US Representatives here!
Local Media contacts
TV Stations
first coast news
Contact
Main Phone: 904-354-1212
Community Affairs: (904) 633-8849
Twitter: @FCN2go
action news Jax
Contact
Main Phone: 904-564-1599
Events/Community Page: events@ActionNewsJax.com
Twitter: @ActionNewsJax
Newspapers
Saint augustine record
Contact
Main Phone: 904-819-3430
Sheldon Gardner, Reporter
Email: sgardner@staugustine.com
ponte vedra recorder
Radio Stations
102.1 WFOY
SJC News, sports, and Talk
Contact
Phone: 904-797-1955
Beach 105.5
Flagler Broadcasting
Resource Library
Clean Swell App
With Clean Swell®, simply “Start Collecting” trash wherever you are around the world and the data you collect will instantaneously upload to Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database.
The ocean conservancy
Ocean Conservancy creates evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.
the story of stuff project
"We have a problem with Stuff: we have too much of it, too much of it is toxic, and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be."
Noaa Marine Debris Program
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is the U.S. Federal government's lead for addressing marine debris.
Choked, Strangled, Drowned
Oceana has compiled for the first time the available data on plastic ingestion and entanglements in marine mammals and sea turtles in U.S. waters.
Matanzas Riverkeeper
Matanzas Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the health of the Guana, Tolomato, Matanzas watershed through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Our work includes everything from advocating for stronger water quality protections, to organizing waterway cleanups, to teaching children and adults how to be good stewards of our environment. Waterkeepers combine firsthand knowledge of their waterways with an unwavering commitment to the right to clean safe, water. For more information visit: www.MatanzasRiverkeeper.org.
Matanzas Riverkeeper,
jen Lomberk
Jen Lomberk is your Matanzas Riverkeeper. As a native Floridian, Jen has a lifelong personal connection with Florida’s natural areas and has dedicated her career to protecting them. Jen is a licensed attorney who has worked on a wide spectrum of environmental issues. She now serves as the Chair of the Waterkeepers Florida regional entity.
MRK Education Coordinator, Kim Hall
Kim is busy creating environmental education units to provide a fun and easy way for students and adults to advocate for the Matanzas watershed. She is currently working on the MRK Showcase competition for SJC students focused on positive impact and community service activities.
You did it!
GREAT JOB!
Woohoo!
Thanks for being a voice for the Matanzas!
Spread the word and keep up the good fight!
Sincerely,
The Matanzas Riverkeeper Crew
Advocate - Educate - engage