Every summer, “Plastic-Free July” inspires millions of people to become part of the solution against waste. Originally a charity based out of Australia, the movement has now become a global rallying cry against plastic pollution. Participants learn how bad the crisis is, why plastics threaten natural environments and what they can do to help.
When we’re on the water, it is critically important to be aware of what we bring out on boats with us. The easiest way to prevent our plastics from entering the water is not to bring them on board. Therefore, this year, one of the ways that PADI is joining in on #PlasticFreeJuly is by highlighting how to go plastic-free on dive boats.
1. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
As divers, we all know how important hydration is. The sun and sea can be brutal, and it’s recommended to keep a bottle of water near you. However, that doesn’t mean you need to bring a single-use plastic one. Instead, opt for a refillable water bottle. Many are insulated and enjoy the added benefit of keeping your liquids hot or cold.
Don’t forget to ask your dive shop if they provide drinking water in a big water cooler so that you can refill your own bottle, if necessary.
Pro tip: if you like drinking sports drinks or electrolytes when you dive, you can buy a bulk can of powder and mix it into your refillable water bottle. By doing this, you avoid buying a new single-use plastic bottle each time you dive.
2. Use Reusable Baggies to Pack Boat Snacks
Diving is an active sport. Often, we surface from a dive starving and looking for a quick bite. Unfortunately, popular boat snacks like chips, fruit snacks, cookies and beef jerky are almost always wrapped in foil or plastic. On windy days, it’s easy to see how these wrappers can take on a life of their own and fly into the water.
Instead, buy your snacks in bulk and pack what you need for your dive day in a reusable baggie. There are lots of brands, such as silicone stasher bags or reusable cloth Lunchskins. Each of these is estimated to replace hundreds of single-use Ziploc and plastic bags over their lifetime. And, many come in awesome ocean prints.
3. Ditch Plastic in Defog
When we dive, we all want to see clearly — especially when the visibility is stunning! Defog helps; but, when it comes in little plastic bottles, it can also hurt.
To de-plastify your defog routine, you can mix a little bit of baby shampoo with water in a reusable bottle. Of course, get that in bulk and keep refilling, refilling and refilling. Or, go au naturale with a little spit in your mask.
4. Pack Plastic-Free Lunch from Home
To-go containers, sandwich wrappers and plastic bags are some of the most common plastics that make their way onto boats. Rather than creating all that single-use trash, bring a plastic-free lunch from home instead! Make a sandwich and wrap it in a napkin or a reusable bag like the ones we highlighted above. Pack fruit instead of chips or cookies. And, carry it all in an ocean-themed lunchbox or bag instead of a plastic bag.
5. Use Upcycled Dive and Boat Gear
Finally, there is one way you can use plastics on a dive boat that helps the earth — in your dive and boat gear! Of course, going plastic-free is the best way to help the oceans. The second best option is repurposing old plastics into useful items. This helps them stay out of the landfill and gives them new life.
6. Fish Forward and Ocean Friendly
This thin and super lightweight parrot fish travel beach towel is made from recycled plastic! It is exceptionally absorbant and compact, AND it comes with its own cotton travel bag.
This stylish towel contains 80% recycled polyester – the equivalent of 14 post-consumer, plastic bottles! This is one good type of plastic you CAN take on a dive boat. Be sure to show it off to your buddies and encourage them to look around for similar products made from recycled ocean plastics.
7. Say No to Plastic Bags for Wet Gear
Of course, we all want to get out of wet bathing suits and rash guards as soon as possible to stay warm but we don’t want our wet items to make everything else in our bags wet too. It’s tempting to grab single-use plastic bags to put wet gear in but why keep buying these items that can cause harm again and again? Dry bags are usually used to keep water out, and the contents dry, but a small dry bag is also an excellent re-useable option for placing wet clothing items and damp towels to keep them separate from your dry items until you get home!
Want To Do More to Fight Plastics in Our Ocean?
- Use eco-friendly school and office supplies to keep diverting plastics from the oceans
- Gift sustainably and with the ocean in mind.
- Book your next dive trip with a Green Fins dive shop (find them at greenfins.net or look for the Green Fins logo when booking via PADI Travel) and always follow the Green Fins guidelines for sustainable travel.
If you are ready to book your next plastic-free boat dives, take a look at operators near you on PADI Travel!
