CLEARWATERWAYS ORG is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  Our mission(s): remove man-made refuse from beaches, streams and drains that are outfall areas from urban runoff; habitat restoration; promote anti-littering and alternative packaging.  Where we live is not a landfill...

DID YOU KNOW?

A paper "hot liquid" cup will not break down into the environment for more than fifty years. It is a greater problem than plastic grocery bags.  The cups are sprayed with liquid polyethylene, the same plastic used on recently banned grocery bags.  When the cups eventually break down they release harmful chemicals into our soil, waterways, and all living things.  The number of cups used annually in The United States is estimated at 165 billion per year.  Essentially, the cup you use for your daily coffee or tea will outlive you.

Polystyrene commonly known as Styrofoam is the most prevalent pollution lining our waterways and high tide lines. It breaks down into small pieces and is extremely difficult to clean up once it's released into the environment.   There are very few recycling facilities that can process Styrofoam.  The eventual release of chemicals into the environment include benzene and toluene--the same chemicals found in gasoline!  Food for thought: hot food placed in a to-go container, melts the container and activates the release of those chemicals into the food.  *The number of polystyrene cups used annually in the United States alone is estimated at 25 billion. 

Clearwaterways is here to educate and encourage even the smallest of gestures you can make to show you care about the world.  For instance: bring a reusable cup to your coffee house, or gather and properly dispose of styrofoam whenever you see it.