FREE DIVING | Connecting Below The Surface

When you want to connect with the forest, you walk in it. When you want to connect with the dirt, you dig in it. When you want to connect with the water, you swim in it. 

These are the basic options, but what about going deeper? Experiencing the ocean can be done in many ways, above and below the surface. Free Divers may have connecting below figured out better than anyone. The quiet, the calm, the marine life - they get to have it all.

The ocean is still relatively unknown to us. Where else do you get the privilege of exploring an underwater world? It's nearly like being on another planet. When you're immersed in the sea, with nothing between you and the marine life but a mask, you can better appreciate the stunning complexities of the ocean; how it is both fragile, and strong, and what it is that we wish to preserve and protect.

We talked with Eric Keating, an avid Free Diver and store manager at Frank Whites Dive Store in Victoria. He gave us an intro into the wide world of holding your breath and diving below the thin blue line. Here is some insight into what it means to get into the breath holding sport of Free Diving.

The Technical

You may be asking - What is Free Driving or Apnea Diving? In short, it is the sport of holding your breath to explore the underwater world. To gear up, you will need exposure wear, mask, snorkel, fins, and weights. However, the art of holding your breath you will have to master on your own with proper training.

The gear you wear varies depending on you and the environment.

Wetsuit: Also known as your exposure wear (although that term is not specific to wet suits). The purpose of a wet suit is to insulate you in the water. The factors you need to consider when choosing a wetsuit are flexibility, durability, comfort, and thermal application. You also need to consider the environment where you will be diving. Wetsuits are comprised of neoprene, which is buoyant, so a thicker suit for colder environments means you will need to wear more weight to descend below the surface. Although you may lose some flexibility, a thicker suit will keep you warmer. In the Pacific Northwest, staying warm is critical. No matter what time of year it is, the ocean is cold. You don’t want your body wasting energy trying to keep you warm while it needs to be focusing on holding your breath.

Weights: Humans wearing neoprene float. At the surface, you are still positively buoyant. Once you get about 10-15 feet down, you experience what is called the "sink phase" where atmospheric pressure increases and you begin to sink. To get to the "sink phase" you require the use of a weight belt. A weight belt is comprised of lead bars that attach to a rubber quick release belt that is worn around your waist. The amount of weight you need to wear depends on your body composition, the salinity of water, and your wetsuit. The higher your body mass index, the more weight you need to become negatively buoyant. Eric, who weighs in at an athletic 155lbs dives with about 10-15lbs when in the local waters of the Pacific Northwest as he prefers a 7mm suit. A good guide line is 10 percent of your body weight, plus or minus.

Fins: Donning fins is about as close as we get to living out our fantasy of being merpeople (it’s a real job!). Back in reality, they are one of the most useful tools in a free diver’s arsenal. To give divers the most power and efficiency in their kicks, free diving fins are full-foot (as opposed to open heel) and twice the length of a traditional scuba diving fin. The fins drive your movements underwater, and being that you are limited by your own breath hold, you want them to be as efficient as possible. You don’t want to be wasting energy that should be going towards oxygen preservation by working harder to kick than you have to. You can choose to go with a separate fin on each foot, or opt for a Monofin, a single, wide fin that fits over both your feet. A Monofin requires you to lock your legs together and kick like a dolphin, which can prove to be very powerful, and efficient. They each have their place, and it mostly comes down to personal preference.

Other gear you need would be a mask for visibility and a snorkel to breath at the surface. Not all that much to get you started, which makes the sport extremely accessible. However, you do want to ensure that your gear is functioning properly and well suited to you, as it is a part of keeping you safe while you are diving.

A lot of these choices will come down to preference and practicality. When it is time to choose your gear, the best thing to do is to visit your local dive shop, (like Frank Whites) and talk to the people there. They will know the product best and will be able to help you find what is right for you.

The Breath + The Buddy

Holding your breath underwater for extensive periods may not be the most natural seeming thing to most people. One of the most fascinating things we learned was that in just two pool training sessions (where the magic starts), most people are able to hold their breath in the water for upwards of 3 minutes. For the average person who could hold their breath out of water for maybe 60 seconds, that sounds like a long time! We thought that was pretty cool.

Eric points out that the most important part of free diving is safety. He cannot stress this enough. When you are venturing into territory that humans do not naturally live, preparation is life saving (especially when that place is void of oxygen).

Before even the breathing techniques begin, you need to start by learning to calm your body down. Every system running simultaneously in your body is using up energy. When you are underwater, you want your energy to be focused on holding your breath and propelling you where you want to go. Eric compares it to the mindset you strive for in yoga and meditation. Start by taking very deep, calming breathes. You want a slow heart rate, a clear mind, and a stress-free approach to keep you relaxed and maximize your use of oxygen when you’re underwater. As for the breath holding techniques, we’ll let experts like Eric speak more to that in a training session!

Your body does have some built in systems that will help you out. Our Mammalian Dive Reflex (or Diving Response) kicks in as soon as our face hits the water. This automatic reaction triggers a physiological response that encourages our body to distribute oxygen to our heart and brain, where we need it most. (Aren’t our bodies amazing!?) Some divers will splash their faces without their masks as soon as they get into the water to prompt this process, some let it happen naturally.

Like with any sport, being in relatively good physical shape is also helpful. The better cardiovascular strength you have, the more efficiently your body will manage your oxygen. Immersing yourself in a hostile environment that we are not built to exist in for long periods of time is physically challenging. You will be tapping into things we're not programmed to do regularly. With training and focus, we can unlock parts of ourselves that will allow us to spend more time in the underwater world.

Once you feel prepared enough to hit the ocean, you are going to need a buddy. Free diving must always be done with a buddy. Think you can handle it alone? Listen to this: free divers are at high risk of falling victim to Shallow Water Black Out. After you have been underwater a few minutes, your body starts to acclimatize to the pressure. As you rise back to the surface, the pressure will lessen once you pass that 10-15 feet to the surface mark. This change in pressure could cause you to lose consciousness. Bodily, you will be just fine, however, you are now unconscious underwater without assistive breathing gear and in danger of drowning, unless you have someone there to bring you to the surface and clear your breathing pathway. That doesn’t sound like a risk you’d want to take alone, does it?

Your buddy will wait at the surface for you, keeping their eye on you as much as they can. In some places, the water will be so clear you may have up to 75 feet of visibility. Here in the Pacific Ocean, it is more like 30 feet. So it is important to make a plan with your buddy before you dive. Decide on where you intend to go, and for how long. That way, your buddy can watch the time, and then prepare themselves to dive down and rise with you, to ensure you surface safely.

Once you and your buddy are in the water, you take a few minutes to do what is called a 'breathe up' to prepare yourself for a breath hold. How you do it is a personal approach, but the purpose is the same: to relax your mind and get in the best mental state to achieve peak inhalation (maximum breath). As we have been discussing, your state of mind matters as much as your state of body. If you are not relaxed, you will decrease your dive time significantly. Taking a shorter 2-5 minute breath up can be best for some divers, so they don’t have time to overthink things. 

Now you’ve calmed yourself, prepped your body, and you’re ready to dive. You take a deep breath, and submerge. Once you are under the surface, you are now challenged with a breath hold. You need to maintain that calmness, so that you aren’t wasting energy on clenching diaphragms. Focus on blocking your air at your neck, like a soft valve. Around minute three, your natural urge to take a breath will kick in and you may experience contractions in your abdomen. You have to push past it to stay under. Focus instead on your surroundings. Be conscious of where you are and connect yourself to the ocean. 

The Connection

We have talked a lot about the practical parts of free diving. While important, they don’t highlight why free diving is a growing industry. Why do people do it? Because, it is amazing. 

Eric describes the many reasons he personally finds it a worthwhile and fulfilling sport. Even though it might seem complicated at first, there is a simplicity to it. It is about exploring and enjoying the environment, on a very minimalist level. With a scuba diving background, Eric welcomes the complete and utter silence of free diving. Without any breathing apparatus, there are no bubbles making noise that scare away marine life. “You are totally integrating yourself into the marine environment. Fish will swim right up to you.” You find yourself engaging with aquatic life as if you were a part of it.

It is a personal challenge too. You get to tap into parts of yourself you may not have even known were there. Knowing you have worked hard to reach a physical and mental capacity to hold your breath longer than you ever thought you could is a very cool achievement.

Once you are really comfortable, it is also a great way to sustainably harvest seafood, which is how it was done historically in many cultures. You can pick selectively, you can avoid endangered species, and you won’t have any collateral damage or pollution from fuel or fishing equipment. Harvesting can be done with your hands, sometimes with a spear gun. Eric notes that there are people who use the sport as an excuse to trophy hunt, but he doesn’t believe in it. It is about respecting the ocean, and not taking more than you need. By diving for your food, you connect with it, and are thankful for what it provides you.

“I get excited about sharing free diving with others. People don't realize what's possible for them.” 

There is also the convenience aspect of it. Unlike other water sports, you require very little gear, which makes it possible to do more easily all over the world when you travel. And if you are looking to engage in other water sports, the training you have from free diving will be complimentary. Being trained to keep your calm and hold your breath for a long time would certainly help you if you’re getting tossed by a wave while surfing. 

Eric is a true Thalassophile. Whether he is boating on the surface, or diving underneath, his favourite thing about the ocean is the calm that comes from totally immersing yourself in it. And it’s power. “It provides for you. It grounds you. It divides and connects the whole world. I can’t imagine living away from it.” We get that. 

If you have any interest in or questions about free diving or any other kind of diving, go find Eric and his knowledgeable colleagues at Frank Whites Dive Store on Blanshard st. in Victoria. The store was started in 1956 and was the first dive store in Canada. They offer a wide variety of scuba and free diving gear and instruction. They are happy to help you discover your inner diver!

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/free-diving-connecting-below-the-surface

WORLD WATER DAY | Safe Water For All



Nothing can live without water. That is what makes our planet so special (and lush!). We have magnificent glaciers, quick running rivers, swimmable lakes, and an ocean, our beautiful, mysterious ocean, that brings so much joy to so many, and provides a home to thousands of species. 

The saddening thing, is that the distribution of clean drinking water is grossly out of proportion globally. Partly, that is due to a lack of sources in hotter places. Another big piece of the puzzle is that the infrastructure just isn't there. According to the United Nations, "3 in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and 6 in 10 people lack access to safely managed sanitation facilities." Some countries simply can't afford it. Some are in such dire turmoil over political, economic, or social issues, that resources are already spread too thinly, and it isn't made a priority, even though people are dying because of it. Unfortunately, it is people who are already marginalized or struggling in other ways who tend to be effected by the challenges of getting fresh water. 

Even in Canada, we have a shocking number of long-term drinking water advisories, a high proportion of which exist in First Nations communities. It would appear our current government has a plan to put an end to all of them, however, the timeline is still several years away. 

Although the water we usually concern ourselves with is too salty to be ingested, the health of all waters is important to our planet, and to our communities. Imagine living every day without clean water running out of your taps. Having to walk miles just to get enough water for your family to survive, and still not being confident that it is safe. Imagine not having a toilet! We bet that there are thousands of people who take their everyday access to clean water for granted.

The United Nations has made getting clean water accessible for all one of their 17 Sustainable Development Goals, set out in 2015, that they desire to accomplish by 2030. The intentions of these goals are lofty, and inspiring.

"The new Goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection." - United Nations

Goal Number 6 is to "Ensure access to water and sanitation for all." For those of us living in a developed country, with regular access to clean water and proper sanitation, living without those things may seem foreign. But it is the reality for billions of our global neighbours, and negatively affects so many parts of their lives.

"Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world." - United Nations

They have declared March 22nd World Water Day. Every day of the year really, needs to be world water day, but having a specific day set aside creates a conversation. They are asking everyone to Learn, Share, and Act to help spread the word.

The theme this year is "Leaving no one behind." Water is a human right. We need it, for so many things. We need to ingest about 2 litres a day to be ideally hydrated. We need it to keep ourselves and our homes clean and safe. It really is the elixir of life. 

When natural disasters hit, like hurricanes and earthquakes, even more people are left without water, and it can takes days, weeks, months even to ship it into those displaced. Technology like Michael Pritchard's LifeSaver products could make a big difference in these situations. His filtration systems go into water bottles and jerry cans that allows the user to source water from anywhere, even contaminated sources, and produce clean, drinkable water without electricity or batteries. He designed a simple hand pump system that anyone can use. The filters he designed have openings only 15 nanometers wide. That means that even microbiological contaminants, like E.coli and Polio, cannot get through. (Check him out presenting it to the world 10 years ago at TED.)

"LifeSaver filtration technology will purify unreliable municipal water supplies, rainwater, water taken directly from lakes, rivers, ponds, and even muddy puddles, allowing you to make thousands of litres / gallons of clean safe water." - Lifesaver

The jerry cans could be useful in everyday water collection as well, as they hold up to 18.5 litres of water, and come with filters that are good for 10,000 - 20,000 litres of filtration. "Women and girls are responsible for water collection in 8 out of 10 households with water off-premises." -United Nations The jerry cans would eliminate the need to find a clean water source, and these women and girls could find the closest source of water (if there is one), not the cleanest, without worrying about the contamination. This would save them time, effort, and would allow them to pursue work, and maybe even education with the extra hours they would gain back.

Starting with solutions like this, that are less expensive than widespread infrastructure, are at least a temporary option, but not a long term solution. Very cool to see this type of technology out there though!

Will we ever run out of clean water? This is a thought that must cross the minds of Climate Change experts. Temperatures and populations continue to rise, research is starting to show that aquifers are draining. These and others are troubling signs. So what are we to do?

• Be precious with your water. Don't waste or pollute it unnecessarily.
• Be creative. Make use of the newest ideas and tech available for keeping your lifestyle water-friendly. Simple changes, like saving rain water for your garden, or even to be used in your home, will help.
• Speak up. Governments in places like Australia and Israel have made smart decisions and invested in the right technology to recapture their water resources or decrease usage. We should be doing this world wide!

What about the ocean? It makes up about 97% of the water on the planet, and we cannot drink it. There is a process called Desalination that takes ocean water and turns it into fresh water. Is this the solution? In some areas, it has become relied upon, but it is not the best option.

"On average it's about five to seven times more expensive. The energy footprint is huge, and you've got to do something with the salt...[and it wrecks] havoc...on marine ecosystems.” - BBC, Is the world running out of fresh water?

There are different ways for it to be done, but they all seem to have the same challenges with cost and byproduct. They also tend to be large, noisy facilities, that need to be built on waterfront, which again poses risks to the marine environment. Fresh water treatment plants and rainwater catchment systems are much better, safer options.

What can you do for World Water Day? Learn about the biggest issues facing water scarcity and what is being done about them; lend your voice to the conversation, and engage others to spread awareness; and take action, by creating an event, donating to a verified organization, or attend an event being hosted in your area (find out here).

Today, we celebrate water. We give thanks to our planet, for providing us with such a gorgeous resource, and hope in the future, it can be enjoyed by all. #leavenoonebehind

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/world-water-day-water-for-all

MENSWEAR | What You Want It To Be

We know that we have a few more styles for our ladies than we do for our gentlemen. Well guys, this one is for you. We want to highlight what we bring to the table for you, and say a big thank you to the guys out there rocking our gear and representing what we stand for.

We want everyone walking out our doors to feel good in the clothing they are wearing. To feel comfortable, confident, and good about where they are spending their dollars. We have found that if you ask most men what their top priority in clothing is, they might say comfort. Dig a little deeper and you get them to see that style matters just as much. If you are browsing the racks, the first thing that will attract you to an item is the look. If it's a colour you don't like, or a cut you wouldn't consider, you'll probably pass it by. Once that grabs you, the tactile inspection begins.

You'll rub a sleeve between two fingers, or shake out a pair of pants and test the waist band. Clothing gets tugged and stretched and tested all day long. We get that you want to make sure that no matter what you put it through, it feels good, looks good, and stands the test of time. This should be true of everything you choose to put in your closet. If it feels and looks good, you'll be more inclined to wear it more often, instead of letting it sit in your closet unused. And if it stands the test of time, it will hold up long enough for you to enjoy for years to come. 

The fabrics we use are chosen for much the same characteristics, in a similar way. We have our samples to inspect, and we examine them from the standpoint of style. Does this colour fit with our palette? Does this weave look the way we want it to? Next we move on to the feel. Is it going to be smooth and soft against our skin? Will it fall correctly based on what we want the fit to be? 

There is another step, one that usually comes first, and that is content and sustainability. We want a long lasting material, that was sustainably produced. For the average shopper, that might not be something on their mind when they are choosing a garment - but it should be. You get much more value out of something that is made to last. And guys, don't we all know that you can be pretty hard on stuff.

We source our fabrics from a couple of North American based companies who each offer a line of sustainable fabrics. The fabrics themselves are produced overseas, and each one we choose has a benefit to the way it comes together. Some we choose for the fibre - organic cotton, bamboo, or tencel, all of which are strong, long lasting, and more sustainably produced. Or we will perhaps choose a fabric that is made from recycled material. We don't think that sustainability has to be compromised completely for style, and for most of our fabrics, we integrate this belief into our production. 

We also believe in style that is timeless - that is a part of the sustainability of an item as well. If you have a closet of elevated basics, in neutral colours like black, white, grey, blue, you will be able to wear them over and over. And you will have a closet to choose from to form a base under any statement piece you choose to own. Train yourself out of thinking you need new clothes every season, and build a wardrobe that you can wear again and again, without getting bored or overwhelmed with choice.

What top rules most men's closets? The T-shirt. We find that the search for the perfect tee is a quest that many men have participated in. Our Treva Shirt is our contribution to the arena, and we have to say we think it contends. The cut is clean and simple. The bamboo and cotton blend has a nice weight, is soft to the touch, and a small percentage of spandex gives the fabric movement and helps it keep it's shape. We have had great feedback from our male (and female) customers about this tee. Safe to say it's going to stick around.

A tee is great all year round. For seasonal weather, you need a few other sleeve lengths. 

Our Beck Long Sleeve is made without cuffs or a hem band, so it wears like your favourite t-shirt, but with long sleeves for extra coziness. In Merino Wool, you'll keep warm no matter what the weather is doing. 

For Fall or Spring when the weather can't make up it's mind, the Rio Button Up is a no brainer. Buttoned up for a more formal finish, or worn loose over a base layer, it is as versatile as it is comfortable. The cotton and tencel fabrics are next level soft - so soft you will want to sleep in a bed swathed in the stuff. Caution: if your partner fits into the same clothes as you, be on the look out for this one to be stolen first. 

The Coastal Tank is a great summer option, or to use as a first layer under a button up. It's unisex style features a straight body, rounded neckline, and wide straps.

The above items might be designed with a male build in mind, but one thing we love about fashion is that it blurs the lines of gender. Colours, details, accessories - they are becoming more and more unisex. The most important factor of putting an outfit together now is confidence. Yes, there is no arguing that on average, men tend to have bigger shoulders and women more accented curves, so when it comes to sizing, it is good to take that into account. But the beauty is that anyone can wear anything, if they really want to. If you own it, you'll rock it.

For example, one of our own SALT ladies likes to wear our Treva Shirts, which we design primarily for men. Being petite herself, she wears it oversized, tucked into a pair of high waisted jeans, or knotted at the hem, with the sleeves rolled up and cuffed. She also loves the idea of dressing up a simple tee like the Treva with a statement necklace, or elevating the outfit with printed jeans instead of solid.

Our Kai Long Sleeve is cut for women with tighter fitting sleeves. But if you are a guy who prefers a tight long sleeve, all the power to you to pop it on and let it show off your frame. Even though women certainly have their share of challenges when it comes to the conversation of clothing, body image, and expression, sometimes men get a little left out. Men should feel empowered to wear what they want too, not feel like they have to stay in the box of what is "traditionally masculine." Individuality is expressed in how we present ourselves, and we should be able to connect to whatever parts of ourselves we feel true to - male, female, or otherwise. That can change day to day as well. Style can be fluid, and there are no rules that say we have to stick to one.

Many of our SALT styles are actually shot on both male and female models, to show that they can be worn by different body types. We also try to scale our sizing to accommodate different shoulder widths and arm lengths, as well as body shapes, as best we can. Our Pacific Sweater is our most popular long sleeve, for everyone. Our Tidal Pant could easily be a tapered, tighter leg sweat pant for men. Really, any style that fits, you could don if you want.

So men (women, everyone), don't let the sections of a store limit you - own your personal style, and wear what you want. Cross those borders and push those boundaries. If you find yourself questioning something, the best thing is to have confidence in it. Have confidence in yourself, and the questions will fall away.

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/menswear

PLASTIC PRODUCTION | Making Plastics Greener: Regulation or Choice

By now, most of us are aware that plastics are an environmental hot button issue. We are seeing progress in our areas to ban single use items like plastic bags and straws, which we are super jazzed about. We encourage everyone to use less plastic where they can, consume less, and in general decrease demand for plastic items that could be made out of an alternate, more sustainable material. And we genuinely hope this makes a difference for the planet. 

We have to imagine though, that these shifts create a ripple effect for the people on the other end of the supply chain. The affect our movement towards sustainable lifestyles will have on the plastics industry is probably akin to what the same movement is/has been having on the energy sector, as we move towards renewable energy sources. There are two very opposing sides to these kinds of debates, usually sustainability vs economy, and neither is likely to back down. More and more, we see the clashes that these controversial topics cause erupt in politics and policy, and the directions big businesses are taking. We do sympathize with the other side. We know that when interest in the products you have provided for decades wanes or becomes heavily regulated, it isn't as easy as flipping a switch and investing all your profits into a different sector to find new success. But, we can hope that some companies at least, will see the opportunity in evolving towards better, cleaner options for energy and plastic production, and chose to take their operations there.

What it usually comes down to, is that unless the people in C-level positions are willing to make a change, or they feel enough pressure from consumers/stakeholders to make that change, they need to be legally regulated to force a shift. So, what does that landscape look like right now? Let's take a look at a few factors.

Government

Wouldn't it be great if we could have globally regulated policies on material production and waste management? Gives you a bit of a headache just imaging that many countries coordinating, eh? (Maybe some day!) However, with commitments like the Paris Agreement, that kind of widespread change actually may be possible, if everyone stays on board. The Paris Agreement focuses on Climate Change as a whole, and it is so positive to have nearly 200 parties making efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions. There have been other recent national and international assertions that concentrate on plastics and their impact.

In 2018, the G7 introduced the Ocean Plastics Charter, which it appears Canada had a big hand in putting together. The first few paragraphs outline what the charter is about.

"Plastics are one of the most revolutionary inventions of the past century and play an important role in our economy and daily lives. However, the current approach to producing, using, managing and disposing of plastics poses a significant threat to the environment, to livelihoods and potentially to human health. It also represents a significant loss of value, resources and energy.

We, the Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, commit to move toward a more resource-efficient and sustainable approach to the management of plastics. We resolve to take a lifecycle approach to plastics stewardship on land and at sea, which aims to avoid unnecessary use of plastics and prevent waste, and to ensure that plastics are designed for recovery, reuse, recycling and end-of-life management to prevent waste through various policy measures." - G7 Ocean Plastics Charter

This charter outlines steps like:

• Working with industry towards 100% reusable, recyclable, or, where viable alternatives do not exist, recoverable, plastics by 2030.
• Increasing domestic capacity to manage plastics as a resource, prevent their leakage into the marine environment from all sources, and enable their collection, reuse, recycling, recovery and/or environmentally-sound disposal.
• Encouraging campaigns on marine litter in G7 countries with youth and relevant partners to raise public awareness, collect data and remove debris from coasts and shorelines globally.

The full document succinctly summarizes their intentions with timelines for these initiatives, with a number of points focusing on the prevention and reclamation of marine litter (yay!). As this is a relatively new plan, we've yet to see what the measurable effects will be, but we can't debate that having this international commitment in place, even from a handful of countries, is exciting. 

Nationally, Canada is working across provinces & territories to make progress at home. In November 2018, Canadian environment ministers met and agreed to work together towards a Canada-wide strategy on zero plastic waste. 

"The Strategy outlines areas where changes are needed across the plastic lifecycle, from design to collection, clean-up and value recovery, and underscores the economic and business opportunities resulting from long-lasting and durable plastics." - CCME

This strategy touches on Canada's international and national commitments, it's movement towards a circular economy, and the ten areas they have identified to pursue action for results. Reaching a national zero-plastic waste output and reducing marine litter are the end goals of this strategy. 

These few regulatory plans address the environmental and economic implications of the plastic industry, as they should. It is a Government's responsibility to consider the economics of the policies they put forth. And, if by regulating the plastics industry we are able to recycle plastics in sustainable ways that generate millions of dollars for our national economy, and create jobs, that is a pretty decent outcome (key word being able!).

We're not sure what momentum has built behind these initiatives, but at the least, the fact that they exist is encouraging. And despite knowing that the work has barely started, we look forward to seeing if this work can contribute to making the shift we really need to reach the targets science shows us we need to achieve. 

Industry

The people and companies who produce plastic, they can't think it's all bad, right (unless they really are only in it for the bottom line)? They must believe in what they are doing, at least to some extent. However, they depend on this industry for their income, so it is in their best interest to focus on all the positives. 

If you look, you can find a number of articles touting the many uses of plastics. Plastics Make It Possible is a website that seems to lobby for all the good things that plastics have done for our world. There are dozens of articles and links. But how do we know who is writing, funding, and hosting this information? If you scroll to the bottom you see it is credited to the American Chemistry Council with the tag "America's Plastic Makers." Probably not a totally unbiased source. 

Or take the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA). They work as advocates for the plastic industry, and by all appearances, try their best to lobby for the positive uses of plastics, which we can't argue, do exist. And discuss what is being done to prevent plastic waste.

"CPIA is committed to the principle that plastics do not belong in the world’s waterways and oceans and should not be littered – plastics should be responsibly used, reused, recycled and finally recovered for their energy value." - plastics.ca

They do have some positive initiatives listed on their website, which is encouraging. Like Operation Clean Sweep, "...an international program designed to prevent pellet, flake and powder loss and the potential introduction of pellets to the marine environment where they create both a litter problem and a threat to sea life and wild life." There are economic and social benefits to the participating factories, as well as the good publicity they will receive by being a member, so there are decent incentives for them to be a part of it.

It is great to see that these initiatives exist, but we have to wonder, if they are voluntary, how effective is it? Where are the metrics showing what reduction of impact this is having? They do list their participating partners, and there are many. But they are probably a fraction of the companies worldwide who we need to get on board with zero-waste, zero-pollution commitments.

This could be a form of green-washing in a way, especially since the organizers work in the plastic industry so they certainly want all the positives discussed, even if they don't have actual number behind them. We're not sure. You really do have to question everything you read, especially the source. 

Even with these initiatives, this is our dilemma still: The plastics that are produced are not (all) being done in the best ways possible. And by that we mean that there are 1,000s of items produced with a one-time use in mind (the worst!); producers are actively choosing not to use the "best" (read: least toxic, recyclable) plastics available; and they are not making efforts to see their products all the way through their life cycle. Are some companies making efforts to do these things? Absolutely, and more. They are putting efforts into R&D that is making strides in bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, and other advancements. And that is awesome. But when it comes to landfill waste and marine litter, it kind of needs to be an all hands buy-in situation.

"When you consider that most plastics can be recycled 7-9 times, the practice of creating products that are unrecyclable by design is both wasteful and silly." - www.kimointernational.org

This article titled "Can Plastic Manufacturing Be Environmentally Friendly?" gives perspective for plastic producers on how they can tackle these issues by implementing a "...supply chain approach." They give examples of 3 innovative things that are currently being done to lengthen the useful life of plastics, and they ask a simple question:

"Plastics have made so many cutting edge inventions possible-couldn’t there be a way to make plastics greener?" - www.craftechind.com

Isn't that what we all want to know? There must be a way!

The big players in the plastics industry may not always have the planet's best interest's at heart, but there are at least factions that care. And with pressure from board members, investors, and consumers, hopefully they will choose to push ahead of policy, and chose the most sustainable production practices possible.

NGOs + Other Bodies

There are tonnes of organizations that are focusing on our plastic problems right now. So much so that we will be taking a look at a few doing work with ocean plastics more in depth soon. For now, we will say that the work these organizations are doing is so important. They may not be able to pass regulations themselves, but the more they are out there doing the work and talking about it, the more lobbying power they garner that they can leverage to support good policies and provide unbiased, independent information. (More on that later!)

This barely scratches the surface of what is happening out there. This is a very big and very complex conversation. It's not that we want to pick on plastics, it just hurts to know that so much of what is created ends up in landfills, and pollutes our oceans and natural landscapes. 91% of plastics produced are not recycled. That is an unfathomable amount. 

Yes, there are many industries that depend on plastics; they have revolutionized our way of life. You may say that modern society needs them. However, we are presented every day with opportunities to use less, and we need to take them. We need to not become complacent about the items we purchase and speak up about things that could be changed.

And for those options that we can't find something better for, what we want to see is everyone producing and using them better; committing to a circular economy with zero-waste and being responsible. It has to be possible. Based on what plastic waste is doing to our oceans and our Earth, we don't have a choice.

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/plastic-production-what-are-they-doing-to-help