# data[].attributes.headline
much ocean pollution is made up of small pieces of plastic.

# data[].attributes.subject
much ocean pollution is made up of small pieces of plastic.

# data[].attributes.body
chemical ocean pollution can also result from air pollution.

# data[].attributes.headline
If your car needs washed wash it with water and soap. If you do that do in the grass!

# data[].attributes.subject
If your car needs washed wash it with water and soap. If you do that do in the grass!

# data[].attributes.headline
I found out that we need to ride bikes instead of driving a car. It saves more gass

# data[].attributes.subject
I found out that we need to ride bikes instead of driving a car. It saves more gass

# data[].attributes.headline
we need to stop littering or all of the animals will die 

# data[].attributes.subject
we need to stop littering or all of the animals will die 

# data[].attributes.headline
if animals die we will die if there are no fish

# data[].attributes.subject
if animals die we will die if there are no fish

# data[].attributes.headline
if we don't stop we wont have  any animlo

# data[].attributes.subject
if we don't stop we wont have  any animlo

# data[].attributes.headline
You can make paper out of elephant poop 

# data[].attributes.subject
You can make paper out of elephant poop 

# data[].attributes.body
NO MORE

# data[].attributes.body
the ocean is the largest habitat in the world

# data[].attributes.body
The ocean covers over 70% of ourpla

Haruto Murai
1m
The ocean covers over 70% of ourpla
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I just found out that children are most likely to die from pollution. 'm terrified

Andrea Groman
1m
I just found out that children are most likely to die from pollution. 'm terrified
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Maddisen Evans 1m
how are children getting heart ?
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1 million plastic in the every hour

Preston Hazelton
1m
1 million plastic in the every hour
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call friends and people you know that can help stop pollution

Keimar Payne
5m
call friends and people you know that can help stop pollution 
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animals eat foam and

Maddisen Evans
2m
 animals eat foam and it blocks other food from going in there belly.
 
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1
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1.1 million kg of plastic goes into ocean.

Haruto Murai
5m
1.1 million kg of plastic goes into ocean.
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1
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The seagulls ar

Donato Rendon Coronel
1m
 The seagulls are dying they eat the the plastic and they  
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1
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the earth will die if we do pollution stop the pollution

Keimar Payne
7m
the earth will die if we do pollution stop the pollution
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1
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we have a negative impact on our planet we try to help but can't help enough.

Benjamin Borsay
7m
we have a negative impact on our planet we try to help but can't help enough.
favorite
1
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5.3 million pieces o

Maddisen Evans
5m
 5.3 million pieces of plastic end up in the ocean per day.

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1
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water pollution.

Santiago Garza
2m
water pollution. 
water pollution occurs when garbage,metals,oil and chemicals get into water sources.     
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1
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1.1 million kg of plastic goes into the ocean every hour

Caleb Kanney
7m
1.1 million kg of plastic goes into the ocean every hour 
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3
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if we have no water we will kill earth and us

Keimar Payne
11m
if we have no water we will kill earth and us 
favorite
3
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Save the sea or have no glee

Caleb Kanney
12m
Save the sea or have no glee
favorite
1
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how do you heal the earth?

Preston Hazelton
12m
how  do you heal the earth?
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3
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i will help the ocean

Elaine Clevenger
16m
i will help the ocean
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2 comments

Benjamin Borsay 16m
ok

Andrea Groman 13m
Tell me more. Thanks
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the sea will die if we do not think fast!!!!

Santiago Garza
16m
the sea will die if we do not think fast!!!!
can we help the sea.  :(
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1
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How will it!!!!
📎 7 Ways you can help save the ocean | Stories | WWF

Margaret Maag
1h
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1
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Empty

Margaret Maag
1h
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📎 Ways to Prevent and Reduce Air, Water, and Land Pollution

Margaret Maag
1h
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1 comment

Mariah Keeran 1m
We NEED to act fast.
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Empty

Margaret Maag
1h
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فارغ

Margaret Maag
1h
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We might get sick by the trash

Anvith Dhareshwar
6d
We might get sick by the trash
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garbage

Preston Hazelton
7d
garbage
garbage is rilly  afecte
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garbage

Callie Herbert
8d
garbage   
why do we recycle?
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2 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Good question.

Andrea Groman 7d
Good question
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plastic ahoy

Maddisen Evans
8d
plastic ahoy
scientists discovered the garbage patch on August,2,2009.
 
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4 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Has it grown since then? How big is it now?

Briley Wellington 8d
that was a long time ago

Anonymous 8d
What is a Garbage Patch?

Maddisen Evans 7d
the garbage in the ocean
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in student council we should use the money to make a group to help pick up trash i'm not kidding!

Benjamin Borsay
8d
in student council we should use the money to make a group to help pick up trash i'm not kidding!
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9 comments

Andrea Groman 8d
I agree

Margaret Maag 8d
This is an interesting idea...

Benjamin Borsay 8d
thank you

Anvith Dhareshwar 8d
Great idea we should do that

Benjamin Borsay 8d
also thank you

Caleb Kanney 8d
We should also go around town asking to help.

Santiago Garza 8d
what are whee waiting for lets do it!?

Elaine Clevenger 7d
YA

Benjamin Borsay 7d
boo
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When we burn fossil fuels we our putting more Carbon dioxide in the air. These are the type of vehicles that burn fossil fuels the engines of cars and airplanes and ships.

Caleb Kanney
8d
When we burn fossil fuels we our putting more Carbon dioxide in the air. These are the type of vehicles that burn fossil fuels the engines of cars and airplanes and ships. 
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5 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Is carbon dioxide bad? I don't really know what that is.

Caleb Kanney 8d
Cobain dioxide is the stuff that we blow out of our noses

Andrea Groman 7d
How?

Andrea Groman 7d
What is fossil fuel?

Elaine Clevenger 7d
that is odd
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If we don't stop littering it means we don't care about the earth

Anvith Dhareshwar
8d
If we don't stop littering it means we don't care  about the earth
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4 comments

Benjamin Borsay 8d
correct

Margaret Maag 8d
Are there any times when it is okay to litter?

Benjamin Borsay 8d
no. unless it is the end of the world and the only way to save it is to litter.

Jadyn Taylor 8d
what can we do to help?
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We shouldn't be littering like this or I mean it!

Anvith Dhareshwar
8d
We shouldn't be littering like this or I mean it! 
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2 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Why is litter bad?

Benjamin Borsay 8d
it makes the air bad to breath and other people have to pick it up
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to recycle things machines turn the plastic into flakes then they melt the flakes then turn it into something new.

Benjamin Borsay
8d
to recycle things machines turn the plastic into flakes then they melt the flakes then turn it into something new. 
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2
4 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Love this fact!

Benjamin Borsay 8d
thank you.

Margaret Maag 8d
You're welcome.

Benjamin Borsay 7d
hello?
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If the littering doesn't stop the animals will all die from eating plastic!

Anvith Dhareshwar
8d
If the littering doesn't stop the animals will all die from eating plastic!
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1
10 comments

Benjamin Borsay 8d
) ;

Briley Wellington 8d
what can we do to help

Benjamin Borsay 8d
yeah what can we do?

Andrea Groman 8d
If what does't stop?

Benjamin Borsay 8d
us littering

Margaret Maag 8d
What do you mean by destroyed?

Briley Wellington 8d
we need to stop or we will live in a messy world

Benjamin Borsay 8d
yeah do you mean blow up destroyed or disintegrated destroyed?

Preston Hazelton 7d
I hope it stops

Santiago Garza 7d
I want to help you!
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how effective is recyling

Donato Rendon Coronel
8d
how effective is recyling
way do we waste so much food
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3 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
How much food do we waste? How much do 3rd graders waste at lunch?

Donato Rendon Coronel 8d
all lout

Margaret Maag 8d
Is there a way we could waste less? What could we do about this?
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Follow that paper !

Haruto Murai
8d
Follow that paper !
How paper melt from hot water?
I didn't know paper made from wood.
How did you cut that wood?

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1
4 comments

Benjamin Borsay 8d
it gets so so so hot it melts it down

Margaret Maag 8d
I wonder what melted paper looks like. Does paper catch on fire when it gets too hot or melt?

Benjamin Borsay 7d
with a saw

Benjamin Borsay 7d
it catches fire Mrs Maag
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recycling Earth's resources

Bella Zedeker
8d
recycling Earth's resources
how do you make new from old.
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1
2 comments

Andrea Groman 8d
How do you make new from old?

Elaine Clevenger 8d
what do you mean?????????
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garbage

Preston Hazelton
8d
garbage
a gas called methane must be away from  landfill because it can  start a fire 
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Margaret Maag 8d
Are there landfills near my house? I don't want a garbage fire in Findlay.
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plastic ahoy.

Maddisen Evans
8d
plastic ahoy.
Miriam Goldstein, Chelsea Rochman, and Darcy Taniguchi found the garbage patch.
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6 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Girl power!

Maddisen Evans 8d
yep

Andrea Groman 8d
Were is the garbage patch?

Maddisen Evans 8d
in the ocean

Elaine Clevenger 8d
we need to help

Benjamin Borsay 7d
bad girl power boy power good
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Trash Magic

Dominic Burkett
8d
Trash Magic
Bottles are made of oil.
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Margaret Maag 8d
Interesting, where does oil come from?
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we need to recycle otherwise we'll run out of resources

Benjamin Borsay
8d
we need to recycle otherwise we'll run out of resources 
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Margaret Maag 8d
What are resources?
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fun fact

Keimar Payne
8d
fun fact 
did you know  a bottle turn to a different bottle from past to present and how toy are made   plastic  is the answer 
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2
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Maddisen Evans 8d
this is a fun fact.
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Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Andrea Groman
8d
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle 
A shower is less wasteful than a bath. For one thing you will use less water. For another, it will take less energy to heat the water. So...make your showers short!
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2
10 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Does this depend on how long of a shower you take?

Maddisen Evans 8d
what happens when you are in a shower for an hour?

Andrea Groman 8d
I think so

Andrea Groman 8d
Then your wasting water

Maddisen Evans 8d
I like your fact

Andrea Groman 8d
thank you

Maddisen Evans 8d
your most welcome

Santiago Garza 8d
my brother takes a bath for to long!

Andrea Groman 7d
Tell him to take a short bath!

Santiago Garza 7d
one time my brother tern'd the shower on for a long long time and it got cold vary cold!!!!!!!!!!!
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I want to cheap the sea clean to help the animals not die!!!!

Santiago Garza
7d
I want to cheap the sea clean to help the animals not die!!!!  


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Margaret Maag 8d
What do you mean? Can you give me an example?
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141 pounds of plastic(64 kg)of plastic=1,828 empty 1-liter drink bottles

Owen Collins
8d
141 pounds of plastic(64 kg)of plastic=1,828 empty 1-liter drink bottles 
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2
1 comment

Santiago Garza 7d
It is bad to me I am so sad:(
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Reducing Waste

Mariah Keeran
8d
Reducing Waste
we should keep making worm farms.In worm farms worms eat the kitchen scraps.
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3
3 comments

Maddisen Evans 8d
why?

Margaret Maag 8d
How do you make a worm farm?

Santiago Garza 8d
wee can yous the plastic to make bins for trash cans.
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keeping water clean

Briley Wellington
8d
keeping water clean
polluted water has dangerous  chemicals or bacteria in it which can make people and animals sick
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5 comments

Margaret Maag 8d
Do we drink this water?

Briley Wellington 8d
no we could get very sick

Anvith Dhareshwar 8d
I think we should collect all the chemicals in the water by asking

Briley Wellington 8d
asking who

Margaret Maag 8d
Who cleans the water?
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The earth is our home and if we don't take are of it the earth will end!

Anvith Dhareshwar
8d
The earth is our home and  if we don't take are of it  the earth will end!
If it ends we won't be living 
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1
4 comments

Jadyn Taylor 8d
that tornadoes can be really bad sometimes and a lot of times!

Jadyn Taylor 8d
some peaple have to live in tents and have less money

Maddisen Evans 8d
OH NO

Margaret Maag 8d
Will it end? What will happen?
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The greenhouse effect

Caleb Kanney
8d
The greenhouse effect
Did you know that  earth's atmosphere works  something like a greenhouse too. The greenhouse effect is when a greenhouse trap warmth.
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1
2 comments

Benjamin Borsay 8d
whats the greenhouse effect

Andrea Groman 7d
What is a green house?
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Can I recycle candy wrappers?

Margaret Maag
8d
Can I recycle candy wrappers? 
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Anvith Dhareshwar 8d
you can give it away to the recycle center

Santiago Garza 8d
same as anvith.
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Garbage

Margaret Maag
8d
Garbage
More than one third of all garbage is recyclable
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Plastic Straws

Margaret Maag
8d
Plastic Straws
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1
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Elephant Poo Poo Paper

Margaret Maag
8d
Elephant Poo Poo Paper 
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1
8 comments

Jadyn Taylor 8d
that you can make elephant poo out of paper!''

Sofia Salas 8d
yyygdtyd

Sofia Salas 8d
I want to do that.

Donato Rendon Coronel 8d
it's cool

Mariah Keeran 8d
that's cool.

Philip Adams 8d
that's realy interesting

Kasen Barth 8d
this video is so wired

Philip Adams 8d
this video is not wired it's interesting
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📎 Watchkin - Watch videos without distractions

Margaret Maag
12d
favorite
2
6 comments

Bella Zedeker 12d
people should care for the ocean

Dominic Burkett 12d
I feil bad for

Dominic Burkett 12d
\

Dominic Burkett 12d
\

Owen Collins 12d
dont let animals die

Mariah Keeran 11m
We need to help.
Your avatar

Add comment
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Margaret Maag
12d
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 
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5
13 comments

Margaret Maag 12d
Mrs. Maag

Elaine Clevenger 12d
we need to fix this

Jadyn Taylor 12d
this is very sad i dont like how animals cant get in those plastic and die:(

Philip Adams 12d
that in 2000 there was more trash in the ocean

Mariah Keeran 12d
that's allot.

Benjamin Borsay 12d
I learned that we 100% need to stop and I mean stop littering.

Owen Collins 12d
we need to get the plastic out of the ocean

Kasen Barth 12d
people should take care of the ocean

Maddisen Evans 12d
I loved this video I learned that plastic releases poison in the ocean.

Caleb Kanney 12d
The great pacific garbage patch is twice the size of Texas.

Andrea Groman 12d
This is sad. I want to help. Andrea

Callie Herbert 12d
I did not know that...

Sofia Salas 8d
I want to help
Your avatar

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A Trip to the Landfill

Margaret Maag
12d
A Trip to the Landfill 
favorite
2
2 comments

Keimar Payne 12d
no electric in water aka land fill

Owen Collins 12d
that is a good way
Your avatar

Add comment

# data[].attributes.headline
I just found out that children are most likely to die from pollution. 'm terrified

# data[].attributes.subject
I just found out that children are most likely to die from pollution. 'm terrified

# data[].attributes.headline
1 million plastic in the ocean every hour

# data[].attributes.subject
1 million plastic in the ocean every hour

# data[].attributes.headline
call friends and people you know that can help stop pollution 

# data[].attributes.subject
call friends and people you know that can help stop pollution 

# data[].attributes.body
animals eat foam and it blocks other food from going in there belly.

# data[].attributes.headline
1.1 million kg of plastic goes into ocean.

# data[].attributes.subject
1.1 million kg of plastic goes into ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
The seagulls are dying they eat the the plastic and they chock.

# data[].attributes.headline
the earth will die if we do pollution stop the pollution

# data[].attributes.subject
the earth will die if we do pollution stop the pollution

# data[].attributes.headline
we have a negative impact on our planet we try to help but can't help enough.

# data[].attributes.subject
we have a negative impact on our planet we try to help but can't help enough.

# data[].attributes.body
5.3 million pieces of plastic end up in the ocean per day.

# data[].attributes.body
water pollution occurs when garbage,metals,oil and chemicals get into water sources.

# data[].attributes.headline
1.1 million kg of plastic goes into the ocean every hour 

# data[].attributes.subject
1.1 million kg of plastic goes into the ocean every hour 

# data[].attributes.headline
if we have no water we will kill earth and us 

# data[].attributes.subject
if we have no water we will kill earth and us 

# data[].attributes.headline
the sea will die if we do not think fast!!!!

# data[].attributes.subject
the sea will die if we do not think fast!!!!

# data[].attributes.body
can we help the sea. :(

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 ways you can help save the ocean | Stories | WWF

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Covering more than 70% of our planet’s surface, the ocean contains the largest diversity of life on Earth and affects everything from global weather patterns to food systems. Learn what steps you can take help protect the ocean.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Recycle at School by South Kilbourne Elementary School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This video is the winner of our second annual "How to Recycle at School" Video Contest, and it was submitted by South Kilbourne Elementary School in Richland School District One. The videos submitted to this

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Made by second graders entirely on an iPad, this short movie shows 24 tips to save the ocean. From City View Charter School in Hillsboro, Oregon.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watch youtube videos without all the distractions of related videos and comments.

# data[].attributes.body
garbage is rilly afecte

# data[].attributes.body
why do we recycle?

# data[].attributes.body
scientists discovered the garbage patch on August,2,2009.

# data[].attributes.headline
in student council we should use the money to make a group to help pick up trash i'm not kidding!

# data[].attributes.subject
in student council we should use the money to make a group to help pick up trash i'm not kidding!

# data[].attributes.headline
When we burn fossil fuels we our putting more Carbon dioxide in the air. These are the type of vehicles that burn fossil fuels the engines of cars and airplanes and ships. 

# data[].attributes.subject
When we burn fossil fuels we our putting more Carbon dioxide in the air. These are the type of vehicles that burn fossil fuels the engines of cars and airplanes and ships. 

# data[].attributes.headline
If we don't stop littering it means we don't care  about the earth

# data[].attributes.subject
If we don't stop littering it means we don't care  about the earth

# data[].attributes.headline
We shouldn't be littering like this or I mean it! 

# data[].attributes.subject
We shouldn't be littering like this or I mean it! 

# data[].attributes.headline
to recycle things machines turn the plastic into flakes then they melt the flakes then turn it into something new. 

# data[].attributes.subject
to recycle things machines turn the plastic into flakes then they melt the flakes then turn it into something new. 

# data[].attributes.headline
If the littering doesn't stop the animals will all die from eating plastic!

# data[].attributes.subject
If the littering doesn't stop the animals will all die from eating plastic!

# data[].attributes.body
way do we waste so much food

# data[].attributes.body
How paper melt from hot water?
I didn't know paper made from wood.
How did you cut that wood?

# data[].attributes.body
how do you make new from old.

# data[].attributes.body
a gas called methane must be away from  landfill because it can  start a fire

# data[].attributes.body
Miriam Goldstein, Chelsea Rochman, and Darcy Taniguchi found the garbage patch.

# data[].attributes.body
Bottles are made of oil.

# data[].attributes.headline
we need to recycle otherwise we'll run out of resources 

# data[].attributes.subject
we need to recycle otherwise we'll run out of resources 

# data[].attributes.body
did you know  a bottle turn to a different bottle from past to present and how toy are made   plastic  is the answer

# data[].attributes.body
A shower is less wasteful than a bath. For one thing you will use less water. For another, it will take less energy to heat the water. So...make your showers short!

# data[].attributes.headline
I want to cheap the sea clean to help the animals not die!!!!  

# data[].attributes.subject
I want to cheap the sea clean to help the animals not die!!!!  

# data[].attributes.headline
141 pounds of plastic(64 kg)of plastic=1,828 empty 1-liter drink bottles 

# data[].attributes.subject
141 pounds of plastic(64 kg)of plastic=1,828 empty 1-liter drink bottles 

# data[].attributes.body
we should keep making worm farms.In worm farms worms eat the kitchen scraps.

# data[].attributes.body
polluted water has dangerous  chemicals or bacteria in it which can make people and animals sick

# data[].attributes.headline
The earth is our home and  if we don't take are of it  the earth will end!

# data[].attributes.subject
The earth is our home and  if we don't take are of it  the earth will end!

# data[].attributes.body
If it ends we won't be living

# data[].attributes.body
Did you know that  earth's atmosphere works  something like a greenhouse too. The greenhouse effect is when a greenhouse trap warmth.

# data[].attributes.body
More than one third of all garbage is recyclable

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On January 1, 2019, a ban on plastic straws in restaurants and other service businesses began in Washington, D.C. Read on for the reasons behind such bans, and how we got here.

At the beginning of July 2018, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic straws.

Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020. McDonald's recently announced it will ban plastic straws at its U.K. and Ireland restaurants. Bon Appétit Management, a food service company with 1,000 U.S. locations, announced last May it will phase out plastic straws. Alaska Airlines will be one of the first airlines to phase out plastic straws and stirrers, in part thanks to an environmentally conscious girl scout.

These groups are responding to public outcry demanding action against a product that, on one hand, seems very simple-but which is harming the world's oceans, experts warn.

In just the U.S. alone, one estimate suggests 500 million straws are used every single day. One study published earlier this year estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world's beaches.

Eight million tons of plastic flow into the ocean every year, and straws comprise just 0.025 percent of that.

But that hasn't stopped the straw from becoming the major focus of recent environmental campaigns. This is in part because, for most able-bodied people, the straw is something you can easily do without. Eliminating plastic straw usage rarely requires a drastic change in behavior.

But if they're so easy to do without, how did they become so ubiquitous in the first place? ( Read more about efforts to reduce plastic straws.)

A Brief History of Drinking Tubes

While plastic straws are a recent invention, humans have been using hollow, cylindrical tubes to bring liquid to their lips for centuries. Ancient Sumerians, one of the first societies known to brew beer-5,000 years ago-submerged long, thin tubes made from precious metals into large jars to reach the liquid sitting below fermentation byproducts.

A man named Marvin Stone was the first to file a patent for a drinking straw, in 1888 . The Smithsonian Institute cites a widely touted legend saying Stone was drinking a mint julep on a hot summer day in 1880 when his piece of rye grass, then used as a straw, began to disintegrate. Stone, a paper cigarette holder manufacturer, decided he could make something better.

He wrapped strips of paper around a pencil, glued them together, and soon had an early prototype of paper drinking straws. He patented his design in 1888, and by 1890, his factory Stone Industrial (today a part of Precision Products Group) was mass producing them.

It wasn't until the 1930s that straws gained the ability to bend. Watching his daughter struggle to easily reach her milkshake through a straight paper straw, inventor Joseph Friedman inserted a screw into the straw, wrapped floss around the screw's grooves, and took out the screw. With indentations, the straw could easily bend without breaking. Friedman patented his invention and created the Flex-Straw Company to churn out his design.

Hospitals were among the first to embrace bendable straws, because they allowed patients to drink while lying in bed.

In the decades that followed, the popular paper straw found its way into sodas and milkshakes across America.

The Booming Plastic Industry

Americans were still embracing paper straws when plastic manufacturing began to take hold.

First invented in 1870 by an American named John Wesley Hyatt, the first plastic products were made from a material called celluloid that imitated animal products like ivory. Other plastic compounds took hold in the following decades: Bakelite was used for household items, nylon for stockings, and acrylic in military planes.

Both durable and cheap, plastic was being churned out of factories at unprecedented rates during the second world war. When the conflict ended, American manufacturers needed a new consumer market. In her book Plastic: A Toxic Love Story, science writer Susan Freinkel describes a wartime plastic production infrastructure suddenly devoid of wartime plastic to produce. Manufacturers turned their attention to a growing market for cheap consumer goods. No longer bogged down by wartime frugality, Americans wanted more and at lower costs.

"Thanks to plastics, newly flush Americans had a never-ending smorgasbord of affordable goods to choose from," writes Freinkel.

Plastic Straws Hit the Market

Straws were among the many throw-away products being rapidly manufactured by large corporations. Plastic straws quickly became cheaper to produce and more durable than paper. They could easily wedge between the crosshairs of a fast food restaurant's to-go lid without ripping or tearing.

Throughout the 1960s, the manufacturing infrastructure to mass produce plastic straws was put into place.

In 1969, Friedman's Flex-Straw Company was sold to the Maryland Cup Corporation. The Baltimore-based company produced a wide variety of plastic items and soon became one of the country's largest producers of plastic straws. The Fort Howard Corporation bought the Maryland Cup Corporation in 1983 and continued producing the plastic product.

"It was better, it was cheaper, and they didn't fall apart," says David Rhodes, the global business director for paper straw manufacturer Aardvark Straws, a division of Precision Products Group. "It truly was a better product at a cheaper price, and in that era, no one looked at the future impact it would have on our environment."

New takes on the plastic straw, like jumbo straws and crazy straws, were produced in the 1980s.

A number of large manufacturers met the demands of a society increasingly looking for convenient items that could be taken on-the-go. Plastics Europe, one of the world's largest plastic producers, reports that 1.5 million tons of plastic were produced in 1950, but by 2015, the world was producing 322 million tons of plastic.

The world is now struggling to recover from its plastic pollution hangover.

Corporations, municipalities, and even national governments are proposing and implementing bans on plastic straws. Some companies have jumped into the fray by manufacturing metal and glass straws that environmentally conscious consumers can buy for personal use, though they lack the disposability of paper and plastic from which restaurants benefit.

The same businesses that once benefitted from public excitement over plastic are increasingly feeling public pressure to use alternatives.

Steve Russell is the vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council (ACC), a trade organization that represents plastics manufacturers, among other industries. He says regulation that focuses just on straws, or any one specific product, misses the point.

"The focus on individual products takes our focus away from more necessary discussions on how we bring waste management to places that need it the most desperately," he says. "We think it would be better if straws weren't automatically provided but available should a consumer need one."

Russell says the ACC is focused on waste collection as the best way to prevent more plastic refuse from entering the ocean.

Environmental groups, however, say plastic straw bans are an important step toward their ultimate goal: ending the circulation of single-use plastic.

"It's taking a stand on plastic pollution... and really taking a stand on what needs to happen, a ban on all single-use plastic products," Greenpeace's Kate Melges told Seattle news station KIRO 7 after the city's straw ban went into effect on July 1.

Rhodes believes that plastic straws will one day be an anomaly. When Aardvark Straws was created in 2007, he says it was in part because of a demand from zoos, aquariums, and cruise ships that wanted to promote an eco-friendly image to their customers.

He thinks cost is the only thing standing between plastic straws and extinction.

"There's no getting around that a paper straw will cost about a penny more than a plastic straw," he says. For large corporations, that equals hundreds of millions of dollars, but the cost to the marine environment, you can't put a price on that."

Learn more about what National Geographic is doing to reduce single-use plastic.

This article was created in partnership with the National Geographic Society. National Geographic is committed to reducing plastics pollution. Learn more about our non-profit activities at natgeo.org/plastics. This story is part ofPlanet or Plastic?-our multiyear effort to raise awareness about the global plastic waste crisis. Learn what you can do toreduce your own single-use plastics, andtake your pledge.

This story was originally published on July 6, 2018 and updated on January 2, 2019.

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A brief history of how plastic straws took over the world

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On January 1, 2019, a ban on plastic straws in restaurants and other service businesses began in Washington, D.C. Read on for the reasons behind such bans, and how we got here. At the beginning of July 2018, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic straws.

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ELEPHANT POOP RECYCLED INTO PAPER PRODUCTS.. CHIANG MAI, THAILAND.

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