Our plastic episode is here! In this episode, we learn about how much plastic is in the ocean, why that's a problem for animals, how it all got there, and, most importantly, how you can help.

We talked to so many experts to make this episode. Thank you to:

Senator Jeff Merkley

Dr. Jenna Jambeck, University of Georgia

Christopher Joyce, NPR

Rachel Giles, Chelsea Rochman's lab

Shaye DiPasquale, Terracycle

David Clark, Amcor

Thank you also to our fabulous editor, Eric Klein. If you need editing help, send him an email at [email protected]

Thank you to Andrew Barkan of Ear Snacks for our theme music.

Thank you also to our Patreon sponsors who made this possible! We really appreciate you!

We have a lot of show notes on this one:

Want to do a waste audit? Here's the link to the waste audit Rachel mentioned: https://rochmanlab.com/waste-audit/

Here's a link to Terracycle's website, where you can figure out what to collect and recycle: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/

Learn more about Senator Merkley's Break Free from Plastic Act: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/pollution-act/

Don't know whether it's recyclable? Check out: http://recycleornot.org

And be sure to download the Marine Debris Tracker app: https://debristracker.org

Please let us know what steps you're taking to battle plastic pollution and we can share our progress together! Send us an email at [email protected] or tweet us at @coolanimalspod

Spread the word about this episode! The more kids helping, the more of a difference we can make.