Local Teen Takes on Plastic Pollution to Save Shorebirds

Plastic waste is a huge problem for our oceans and the birds that call them home. One young person from Holmdel is taking action to change this. Emma Lynn is a 16-year-old student who has always been passionate about nature. She grew up exploring the outdoors and helping to keep it clean. She noticed a lot of plastic trash on local beaches, which inspired her to do something about it. Plastic pollution is a serious issue. It harms marine life and birds through ingestion and entanglement. Emma decided to focus on protecting shorebirds. She started "Bags for Birds NJ, " an initiative to reduce single-use plastics in New Jersey's coastal areas. The idea is simple: replace plastic bags with reusable ones. This small change can make a big difference. Emma's project involves creating and distributing reusable cotton tote bags. Each bag comes with a message: "Your daily choices matter. " By using a reusable bag instead of a plastic one, people can help keep plastic out of the oceans and protect shorebirds. Emma's bags are not just for groceries. They can be used for takeout, trips to the library, or even gift wrapping. Emma has been spreading her message through local events, libraries, and school visits. She includes a bookmark with each bag. The bookmark is a mini-guide to identifying common shorebirds. This helps people connect with local wildlife. So far, the response has been positive. People love the bags and the message behind them. Plastic pollution is a global problem. There are 5. 25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Over 80% of beach litter is plastic. Much of this is packaging. Emma's initiative is a step in the right direction. It shows that small actions can add up to big changes. By encouraging others to think about their daily choices, Emma is helping to protect the environment and the birds that depend on it.