Eco Tip for Waste Disposal and Recycling

Eco Tip for Waste Disposal and Recycling

Plastic pollution is one of the largest threats facing our oceans. Plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of products due to their relatively low cost, ease of manufacture and versatility. Most are petroleum-based plastic, a product designed to last forever. They pose an ever-increasing problem to aquatic environments, as they don’t biodegrade. Plastics break down into smaller and smaller pieces but don’t get absorbed into our natural systems and therefore never disappear.

What are the impacts of marine debris?

Marine debris not only damages important habitats including coral reefs, shellfish and seagrass beds but also causes significant harm to wildlife, including sea turtles, whales and birds. Plastics are not only toxic themselves, but they act as sponges absorbing toxins and chemicals in the water. When marine creatures consume the small plastic debris and plastic bags that resemble their food sources, the plastics and toxins enter the food chain and may eventually end up on our dinner plates.

Marine debris can also be quite large and difficult to see in the ocean, especially if it’s floating just below the surface. Accidentally striking debris can severely damage or sink your vessel.


Before you leave the dock:



• Choose products sold in recycled and recyclable containers.

• Use reusable containers and items.• Reuse items numerous times – bags, containers, boxes, etc.


• Don’t throw any trash overboard.
• Secure possessions below deck before the seas get rough, so nothing is accidentally lost overboard. If the gear is lost, try to recover it by making it a man-overboard drill.



Back on land:


• Encourage marinas to offer recycling facilities if they don’t already.


Did you know?

• An average of 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the ocean from land every year (J. Jambeck, Science).

• 693 different species have encountered marine debris, many suffering from ingestion and entanglement (Plymouth University).

Source: "Green Boating Guide", Sailors of the Sea.