Learn how you can help
National Geographic address
the plastic waste crisis.

 

 

Planet or Plastic?

Choose the Planet. Reduce Single-Use Plastic in Your Life.
 

Take the Pledge

 

 

 

Help Make a Difference

Through the Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge with Sky Ocean Ventures and solutions-focused grants, National Geographic is funding scientists and innovators worldwide who develop or pilot solutions to the plastic waste crisis.

Submit Solutions
Submit Solutions
Apply For A Grant
Apply For A Grant

Classroom Activities

Shorebirds in polluted water in Sri Lanka
Photograph by Ami Vitale

Ocean Plastic Classroom Resources  

Use these classroom resources to teach about ocean plastics.

Students engaged in learning over a large map
Photograph by Rawpixel, Shutterstock

GeoChallenge: Tackling Plastic!  

Real-world problems call for real-world solutions.

  • Did you know?

    More than 40% of plastic is used
    just once, then tossed.

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  • Did you know?

    Some 700 species of marine animals have been reported—so far—to have eaten or become entangled in plastic. 

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  • Did you know?

    Scientists have found microplastics in 114 aquatic species, and more than half of those end up on our dinner plates.

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