While Valentine’s Day is the day of love, it isn’t usually that great for the ocean. Xplore Offshore makes it a habit to collect as much trash as we come across, and it’s always a bit disheartening (pun intended) to see what gets left behind from the Love Boats out there.

I’ll keep taking out the trash, of course, and know none of my readers would eeeevvveeerrr leave trash on the ocean, but here are 3 quick things to remember when we’re out on the ocean’s playground:

Balloons, Bags, and Endless Plastic Nonsense

1. It counts, even if no one is watching.
I know how inconvenient it can be to grab someone else’s trash. It’s gross, it’s nasty and it smells. But, can’t even consider leaving it behind. Get bonus points for packing an extra garbage bag on your next trip to have an easy way to bring the trash home.

2. Leave it better than you found it.
You’ve heard it a million times (hopefully), but isn’t this the truth? Environmental clean up is 100% about doing MORE than your share. Xplore Offshore is absolutely sure we’re leaving the ocean better than when we set out, and I’m the first to admit it helps me sleep better at night.

3. Because we need nature. She doesn’t need us.
Call me superstitious, or call me woo-woo, or whatever you think fits. I know when I’m out on the water with my clients that the ocean is being kind. She could kick our butts any time she felt like it. There’s nothing like setting out a few miles from shore to remind one of how small we are. The ocean may have forgiven us for the trash we’ve dumped up til now, but believe you me, she is getting ready to throw a FIT in the near future. I’d rather clean her up now, do my little part, and avoid that… Wouldn’t you?

My latest trash collection.

Even for us environmentally conscious folks, I think it’s a good reminder to see and talk about this stuff. Here are a few pics of trash I picked up on Valentine’s Day.