Reducing waste in Portland with Myrtle the Turtle

Kids in Portland got a fun, hands-on lesson in reducing plastic waste. On Aug. 11, Environment Oregon partnered with the Portland Children's Museum for "Plastic, Pollution and Protecting the Pacific,"...

Kids in Portland got a fun, hands-on lesson in reducing plastic waste.

On Aug. 11, Environment Oregon partnered with the Portland Children’s Museum for “Plastic, Pollution and Protecting the Pacific,” to teach kids—and their grown ups—about the impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife and what we can do to stop it. Environment Oregon State Director Celeste Meiffren-Swango debuted her children’s book, “Myrtle the Turtle,” about a sea turtle who has plastic pollution in her home.

“If you can reduce the plastic you waste,” Myrtle the Turtle urged the kids in attendance, “it will help keep the ocean a beautiful place.”

There was also a mock beach cleanup in the museum’s sand pit, a marine sensory bin with animal toys and plastic pollution, and a reusable bag decorating station. Many parents committed to reducing their waste, and we handed out our “10 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste as a Family” to help them do just that.

Read Environment Oregon’s “10 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste” here.

Photo: Environment Oregon State Director Celeste Meiffren-Swango reads from her children’s book “Myrtle the Turtle” at the Portland Children’s Museum. Photo: Staff.