I recently stumbled upon www.VBS.tv, an online broadcast network that streams free original content 24 hours a day. With eclectic, thought-provoking, and smart coverage of some of the world’s best hidden stories, it is the sort of site that will keep me coming back for more every day.

I’d like to encourage you to view the 3-part series “TOXIC: Garbage Island” when you get a chance. It is an honest and disturbing feature on the enormous pile of trash floating in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the waste that has accumulated in this continent-size mass of garbage is plastic. As I’ve written about many times before, our reliance on and consumption of plastic has gotten completely out of control. Plastic does not biodegrade. It will be on this planet forever. Every plastic drink bottle and shopping bag and take-out container you toss in the trash will be around when your great great great great great grandchildren have babies. And, plastic contains harmful chemicals that are poisoning our bodies. Think before you consume! Get creative and come up with homemade solutions whenever you “need” something that comes in a plastic container (for example, I make homemade yogurt, use a bar of soap instead of liquid body wash, and make hand soap and laundry detergent to avoid buying more plastic).

Here’s part 1 of the series – its just 20 minutes long so don’t worry about wasting your time.

http://www.vbs.tv/newsroom/toxic-garbage-island-1-of-3–4