Stand Up To Trash
8 Principles for Ocean Protection
Our Guiding Principles
At Stand Up To Trash, our work is rooted in a set of simple yet powerful principles that help protect our oceans, coastlines and communities. These guiding values serve as a compass for how we show up, for the planet, for each other and for future generations.
Whether you're visiting the beach, leading a cleanup or simply making more mindful choices in daily life, these principles offer a blueprint for creating lasting change.
They are not rules, they are reminders.
Reminders that small actions matter.
That progress is powerful.
And that together, we can turn the tide.
Explore our 8 principles below and see how you can be part of the solution.
Explore the Principles
Join the Movement
Your Guide To The 8 Principles
1-"Pack & Plan"
Plan Ahead To Reduce Waste
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way For The Planet
Before you head out on your beach, park, or outdoor adventure, prepare with purpose. Thoughtful planning can dramatically reduce the amount of waste you create and prevent trash from ever reaching our oceans.
Bring the essentials that don’t get tossed after one use:
🫙 Refillable water bottles
🥗 Reusable food containers and utensils
🧴 Reef-safe, plastic-free sunscreen
🛍️ Cloth shopping totes or mesh bags for snacks and gear
Planning ahead also means packing only what you need—it reduces clutter, prevents items from getting left behind, and makes your clean-up quick and easy.
By swapping convenience for conscious choices, you protect wildlife, reduce pollution, and inspire others to do the same.
Less waste isn’t just better for the environment, it’s a legacy of care you leave behind.
Download our Ocean Positive Beach Guide
Download "Kids Ocean Positive Packing List"
🎒 Read Our Blog - How to Plan an Ocean Positive Beach Day
2 - Don’t Pass It Up, Pick It Up
Every piece of trash you remove helps protect wildlife and restore natural beauty. Be the difference.
Around 85% of marine debris originates from land-based sources, meaning what we drop on streets,
trails and beaches often ends up in the ocean.
A bottle cap left behind can travel through storm drains, down rivers and out to sea, where it threatens marine life.
That’s why every action matters.
Whether you’re on a walk, at the beach, or heading to your car, if you see litter,
don’t pass it up, pick it up.
Carry a small bag or gloves with you and make cleanup a daily habit.
When you take responsibility for even the smallest piece of trash, you're helping break the cycle of pollution
and showing others how to care, too.
Join a cleanup or Host Your Own!
Play Beach Cleanup BINGO
3 - Respect Wildlife and Marine Life
Our oceans and coasts are home to incredible creatures,
from tidepool critters and nesting seabirds to majestic whales.
When we visit their habitats, we are guests.
Treating them with care and caution ensures these animals can thrive for generations to come.
Download Our Guide To Respecting Wildlife and Marine Life
4 - Empower & Inspire Through Education
We believe knowledge is the first step toward meaningful action
That’s why one of our favorite lesson to teach students is “The Ocean Starts At Your Front Door.”
This powerful concept helps young minds connect the dots between everyday choices
and the health of our oceans.
Through this lesson, students explore:
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The Water Cycle –Understanding how water travels from the sky to the streets and eventually the sea, carrying everything in its path.
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Watersheds – Learning how their neighborhood is part of a larger system that funnels runoff—and pollution—directly to the ocean.
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Gyres – Discovering how ocean currents create massive swirling systems where marine debris collects, forming floating “garbage patches.”
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Entanglement – Seeing the devastating impact that fishing lines, balloon strings, and plastic waste can have when they wrap around marine animals.
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Single-Use Plastics – Discussing the items we use once and toss—like straws, wrappers, and water bottles—and how they often end up in our waterways.
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Marine Debris and Wildlife Impact – Investigating real-world examples of animals injured or killed by ingesting or becoming trapped in human-made litter.
By the end of this lesson, students don’t just walk away with facts, they leave with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. They realize that their actions, even miles from the shore, can either harm or help the ocean.
And with that understanding, they’re empowered to make informed, compassionate choices and to become leaders in protecting our blue planet.
Because real change starts not just in the classroom, but right at your front door!
5 - Be a Community Advocate
Use your voice to create change.
Support sustainable policies, encourage local action and get involved in efforts that make your community and coastline stronger.
6 - Support Sustainable Choices
Every purchase is a vote.
Choose products and businesses that reduce waste, use less plastic and promote environmental responsibility.
Make everyday actions more planet-positive with these thoughtful alternatives
🛍️ Plastic Bag → Reusable Shopping Bag
Avoid single-use plastics at checkout by bringing your own tote.
🧻 Paper Towels → Cloth Towels
Use washable cloths or old t-shirts cut into rags to reduce paper waste in the kitchen and bathroom.
🥕 Plastic Produce Bags → Mesh Bags
Reusable mesh bags are perfect for fruits, veggies, and even bulk items. Lightweight, breathable, and waste-free.
🪥 Plastic Toothbrush → Bamboo Toothbrush
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 months—make it a compostable bamboo one to keep your dental care clean and green.
🥤 Plastic Bottle → Reusable Water Bottle
Hydration with less pollution. Choose stainless steel or BPA-free bottles and refill throughout the day.
☕ Single-Use Coffee Cup → Reusable Travel Mug
Support your local café with your own cup—many even offer discounts!
🍼 Disposable Diaper → Cloth Diaper
An eco-friendly baby step: modern cloth diapers are easier to use and far less wasteful.
🍯 Plastic Wrap → Beeswax Wrap
Reusable beeswax wraps mold around containers and snacks, replacing clingy plastic wrap with natural charm.
🥄 Plastic Cutlery → Bamboo or Reusable Cutlery
Toss the toss-away! Keep a reusable set in your car or bag for on-the-go meals.
🧼 Liquid Soap → Bar Soap
Bar soaps are often package-free and made from cleaner ingredients—perfect for home and travel.
📦 Pre-Packaged Food → Bulk/Bring Your Own Container
Cut out packaging waste by shopping from the bulk bins and using your own jars or cloth bags.
7-Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about trying. Every eco-action counts. We celebrate the steps forward, no matter how small.
Take The Pledge Today!
8 -Foster Stewardship in Youth
Our youth are tomorrow’s ocean defenders.
Through hands-on learning and fun, we show kids how to love
and care for the environment from the start.
Download Our Principles
