10 Ways You Can Help Prevent Water Pollution
Spring has arrived, and Charlestonians have one thing on their mind: water. Warmer temperatures and more sunshine translate to beach days, SUP kayak adventures, sunset boat cruises, and waterfront dining in our gorgeous coastal town.
But have you ever paused to think about water quality in our community?
Water pollution is a serious issue around the globe, and Charleston, with its fragile marshes, beautiful beaches, and abundance of creeks and rivers, is no exception. Sources of water pollution include (but are not limited to) microplastics, chemicals, agricultural runoff, and improperly treated wastewater.
Fortunately, each of us holds enormous personal power when it comes to protecting our environment, and today, we're discussing 10 simple ways that you can help prevent water pollution and improve water quality in the Lowcountry.
How Can You Help Improve Water Quality and Prevent Water Pollution?
Support local oyster farms.
Did you know oyster farming is one of the only restorative forms of aquaculture? Oysters are filter feeders, and they filter pollutants into tiny packets, which they harmlessly deposit on the seafloor. Because a single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water each day, oyster farming can actually help reduce the number of harmful agents and sediment in our waterways and improve water quality.
Recycle your oyster shells.
Don’t chuck that shuck! Recycling oyster shells is essential for maintaining a healthy marine environment and restoring wild oyster populations. While most oysters we eat are farm-raised, wild oysters play a pivotal role in protecting fragile coastal ecosystems. Like their farmed cousins mentioned above, wild oysters are nature’s superheroes when it comes to filtering and improving water quality.
Wild oyster reefs are also essential as a breakwater against storm surges and coastal flooding, which washes harmful agricultural runoff into our beloved rivers, streams, and harbors. However, to form reefs, free-swimming juvenile oysters (also called spat) must attach to a rigid substrate or fellow oyster shell to reach maturity. Recycling your oyster shells not only keeps valuable shells out of the landfill, but it helps combat our statewide oyster shell shortage and allows us to replenish wild oyster populations.
Separate your trash from your oyster shells.
After you’ve polished off those oysters on the half shell, take a moment to separate out all plastic, paper, and other waste from your shells. This simple gesture will make a world of difference when recycling oyster shells and preventing water pollution. Too often, this trash gets lost in the hustle and bustle of the hospitality industry and must later be painstakingly sorted out and removed by SCDNR and volunteers.
You would be amazed at the number of condiment cups, saltine wrappers, plastic cutlery, straws, cans, bottles, and even shuckers the Grit & Grace team digs out of the oyster recycling beds during our litter pickups.
Dispose of items responsibly.
When it comes to disposing of items, make sure you’re doing so responsibly. Pick up after your pet, locate your nearest clothing recycling drop-offs, take note of plastic bag recycling opportunities, look into composting or curbside compost services, and follow municipal waste guidelines.
Additionally, consult your local convenience center on recycling items like tires, computers, TVs, oil, and paint. Most importantly, don’t leave hazardous household materials on the curb. Not only is that against municipal regulations, but you risk these items spilling into storm drains and entering our watershed.
Invest in a quality reusable bag.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to score a cute new beach tote, we’ve got about 3,040,000 of them. That’s the number of plastic bags Americans landfill each year, with only 10% of plastic bags being recycled.
Because of their lightweight nature, plastic bags have a dangerous tendency to blow out of people’s hands, cars, trash cans, and dumpsters, making them one of the most common forms of litter and pollution worldwide and posing a particular danger to marine life. Marine life often becomes entangled with or accidentally consumes these bags, but even more plastic bags will fracture into dangerous microplastics, one of the leading forms of water pollution.
Break up with plastic bags and fall in love with one of our adorable Renewable Fiber Beach Totes. Perfectly sized to take you from a farmers market brunch with the gals to a day on the beach, the Renewable Fiber Beach Tote is hand-loomed and dyed in Madagascar, off the coast of East Africa, and is built to last using two natural, renewable fibers: raffia and sisal.
Join a litter pick-up.
Be part of the solution, not the pollution! Grab a few friends and join a local litter pick-up to help put trash in its place. As a Finding Nemo character once said, “All drains lead to the ocean,” and picking up litter before it washes into ditches, drainage systems, creeks, rivers, and the ocean is one of the most impactful things you can do to prevent water pollution and improve water quality.
Support local, sustainable farms.
Get to know your farmer! A lot of small farms have passionate environmentalists and community activists at the helm, and they need your support. When you support sustainable, local agriculture, you reduce the number of food miles it takes to get groceries to your door. You also help eliminate excessive packaging waste and have access to fresher, often longer-lasting produce! Finally, you support sustainable and regenerative farming practices, which can help prevent water pollution by reducing the amount of agricultural waste and runoff reaching your waterways.
One of the best ways to get to know your farmer is to shop at your local farmers' market! The Charleston Farmers Market takes place in Marion Square every Saturday between March and November. Come visit your favorite local vendors, including Grit & Grace Studio, between 8 am and 2 pm.
Reduce your dependence on single-use plastic.
Whenever possible, try to eliminate single-use plastic items from your life. Invest in several reusable water bottles and market totes, and stash them in your car, workplace, home, and bag. There are also several eco-friendly alternatives for drinking straws, cutlery, and more.
When you do purchase new items, consider their consumer lifespan and packaging. The less plastic waste we introduce into the supply and demand cycle, the less we’re likely to find in our marshes and the ocean.
Commit to clean beauty products.
Did you know that many beauty products contain harmful additives? It’s important to read the labels and invest in a clean beauty routine. Because of lax regulation and proprietary fragrance protection, “some popular fragrance additives are chemicals that have actually made the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste list.” Many exfoliating agents also contain microplastic beads, which wash down the drain and into the water system during bathing or swimming.
Shop sustainable and eco-friendly gifts.
By supporting sustainably-minded small businesses, you’re investing in a brighter future for everyone.
We are proud to recycle 10 oyster shells for each oyster gift purchased. To date, we have recycled more than 9,105 gallons of landfill-bound oyster shells from Charleston restaurants!
We are also Sea Turtle Guardians through the South Carolina Aquarium, and we carry a large number of fair trade, sustainable, and responsibly sourced gifts in our Flagship store at 125 King Street.
Are you shopping for an earth mama this Mother’s Day? Pick up a Renewable Fiber Beach Tote and a soy wax Oyster Shell Candle.
Is there a future grad on your list? Let us personalize an Oyster Ring Dish with one of these popular, inspirational sayings!
Finally, don’t forget that Father’s Day is right around the corner! We’ve got luxurious pens made from repurposed whiskey barrels and Gilded Oyster Wine Charms.
Visit the Grit & Grace family at our 125 King Street Flagship, and we’ll help you create a customized gift basket to celebrate your loved one, whatever the occasion!
One Love & Blessings,