In Mobile, Alabama, and across the Gulf Coast, plastic cups, bottles, straws and bags are an unfortunate and constant source of litter on the streets and sidewalks and far too much of it ends up in the local waterways. In an effort to reduce the amount of this plastic waste, Mobile Baykeeper has secured a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement a “Reduce the Use” initiative. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is the U.S. federal government's lead for addressing marine debris with a vision for the global ocean and its coasts to be free from the impacts of marine debris. The program’s mission is to investigate and prevent adverse impacts of marine debris.

Because plastic is inexpensive and convenient, it is ever-present in 21st century commerce. Even though environmentally friendly packaging often proves to be more costly than plastic versions, 20 downtown restaurants, bars, hotels, non-profits and professional services operations are responding to this grassroots effort by committing to the Peace Out, Plastic movement. The businesses have pledged to reduce or replace single use plastics such as straws, Styrofoam or plastic cups, lids, to go boxes, bags and other plastic items.

According to Carol Hunter, Communications Director with Downtown Mobile Alliance, “Most of what we collect from the streets and sidewalk as we sweep the district every day is plastic and it's not being recycled. Plus, a lot of it winds up in the waterways that we never get to pick up.”

Hunter adds that Downtown Mobile Alliance is still looking to add more local businesses to the Peace Out, Plastic movement to help clean up the streets and improve the health of local waterways.