Trash is one of the most widespread pollution problems threatening our ocean and waterways – yet it’s entirely preventable.

• Marine debris is more than an eyesore. It is a threat to marine wildlife and ecosystems; and undermines tourism and economic activity, potentially threatening our food supply and human health. When we trash our ocean, we trash our life support system.

• A trash-free ocean is a more resilient ocean. Our ocean is stressed from disasters like the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, rising sea temperatures and acidification. Keeping our ocean free from trash is one of the easiest ways we can make the ocean more resilient to these combined threats.

Trash travels

Marine litter is found throughout the ocean, in the most remote places on the planet, not just along populated coastlines. Litter travels from hundreds of miles inland. A plastic sandwich bag blowing off a picnic table far inland washes down a storm drain, river, lake or stream, and winds up being eaten by a sea turtle. Nearly one-in-four Cleanups were done on inland waterways. The problem is increasing, with significant implications for wildlife, fishing, human health, tourism, water quality and marine ecosystems.

Ending the Threat of Marine Debris

From product design to disposal, we all have a role to play in keeping our ocean clean and eliminating marine debris. It’s time to close the loop – to work with corporations to reduce their packaging footprint, to call on governments for strong marine debris policies, to ask individuals to choose re-usable items and to put trash in its place. Cleanups alone can’t solve the problem; we need to stop marine debris at the source.

It's Time for Action

• Momentum for change is building as people learn how dangerous marine debris is to our ocean, wildlife and our economy.

• The International Coastal Cleanup is a first step to finding solutions. Data collected by dedicated volunteers – our “citizen scientists” – inform solutions to the threat of trash in our ocean. By understanding sources of marine debris, we can work together to solve this problem.

• Reauthorizing and strengthening the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act will help ensure that federal agencies have the best tools and continued funding to develop and implement solutions to end marine debris and minimize the already overwhelming stresses placed on our ocean’s health.

• Individuals can take steps every day to protect our ocean – everyone counts. Reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink your connection to the ocean. Join the Hong Kong International Coastal Cleanup by signing up a team to clean a beach with your family, friends and colleagues!

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