Power-Pole joins AAF’s Plastic Brigade as underwriting sponsor

The unspoiled beauty of nature is paramount to why we, as anglers, escape to the water.

As anglers, we understand that the conservation of those resources is essential to the enjoyment we receive. As a company built by anglers, we also understand that protecting our waters is essential to the long-term health of the marine and boating industry.

Plastic debris and trash, such as straws and single-use plastics not only harm the aesthetic of nature but can cause serious harm to fish and wildlife. By keeping them out of our marine ecosystem, we can help ensure that those ecosystems will thrive for generations to come.

That is why Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchors will serve as the primary sponsor for the 4^th district of the American Advertising Federation’s “Plastic Brigade” campaign.

“In an effort to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on our shorelines and the environment our volunteer team of advertising professionals and affiliate organizations is conducting a public service campaign to promote sustainable packaging, recycling and proper plastic disposal,” AAF Fourth District’s governor Mike Weber said. “The underwriting from Power-Pole gives us the support we needed to provide branding identity to our volunteers and fully develop our awareness campaign.”

This year’s public service initiative from the Ad Federation was a natural fit for Power-Pole’s Community Action Service Team, which coordinates J.L. Marine’s community outreach and conservation efforts while supporting charities, non-profits and other organizations that help serve the boating and fishing communities.

“We as angler’s need to do our best to keep our waters and estuaries free from plastic,” Power-Pole national sales manager and C.A.S.T.net committee member Dan Benson said. “The goals of the AAF’s Plastic Brigade are not only to clean up the environment but to educate everyone about how plastic affects our fisheries.”

The “Plastic Brigade” initiative will include an awareness and education campaign about the harmful effects that plastic can have on marine environments, particularly in Florida and the Caribbean where the AAF’s 4^th district is located. According to Plastic Free Florida,

the average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic per year, which accounts for 10 percent of all the waste humans generate every year. 50 percent of that plastic waste was used only once before it was thrown away. Once that plastic, including single-use shopping bags, reaches the ocean, it can take between 500 and 1,000 years to fully decompose.

The Ad Federation’s volunteer team of advertising professionals and affiliate organizations will utilize their expertise to promote an advertising campaign focused on sustainable packaging, recycling and proper plastic disposal. This message will be spread across a variety of media including broadcast, print, outdoor, radio, podcasts and social media.

AAF will also be coordinating beach cleanups through its affiliates in Florida and the Caribbean to clear them of debris. The first of those events will be held in various locations around Florida, including Bartlett Park Salt Creek Estuary in South St. Petersburg, on Nov. 9 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

“Power-Pole employees are eager to get our hands dirty to remove as much plastic as possible but more importantly help spread the word on how long plastic takes to decompose once it gets into our environment,” Benson said.

To learn more about the “Plastic Brigade” initiative and to see a complete schedule of upcoming cleanup campaigns, go to: http://www.plasticbrigade.com/