The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk has eliminated almost all single-use plastics in an environmental effort.

"We are encouraging our guests to become stewards for the Long Island Sound," says aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth. "If we're going to do that, we really should walk the walk and talk the talk."

In the gift shop, toys have been freed from cellophane wrappers. Stuffed animals are no longer stuffed with plastic beads.

Plastic shopping bags have been replaced with paper.

The cafeteria has removed plastic drinking straws, and plastic bottled drinks have been replaced with beverages in boxes, aluminum or glass.

And what plastics remain, like utensils, food containers and coffee lids, are now made from biodegradable, plant-based materials.

The aquarium also added some educational exhibits that focus on plastic pollution. There is an estimated 9 million tons of plastic discarded into the oceans every year.