MARINE DEBRIS:

TRASH ON THE MOVE

For more information visit:

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/marinedebris

EPA 842-F-11-001
Marine debris 

can endanger 

wildlife

Trash is thrown 

on or falls to the 

ground

Rain and wind carry 

trash to storm 

drains or directly 

to waterbodies

Trash in storm 

drains travels to 

streams

Trash in streams 

travels to rivers

Trash in rivers travels 

to the ocean and 

becomes marine 

debris

What Is Marine Debris? Trash Travels

Marine debris is trash or any other discarded 

man-made object that enters ocean or coastal 

waters. Not only is marine debris an eyesore, but it 

also negatively impacts marine ecosystems, wildlife, 

human health and safety, and the economy.

TOP 10 MARINE DEBRIS ITEMS

Cigarettes & cigarette filters

Plastic bags

Food wrappers & containers

Caps/lids

Plastic beverage bottles

Cups, plates, forks, knives & spoons

Glass beverage bottles

Straws & stirrers

Paper bags

Beverage cans

*Source: Ocean Conservancy. Tracking Trash: 2011 Report.
Whether you live on the 

coast or in the heartland, 

marine debris matters. We 

all have a stake in our oceans, and 

we all must play a role to keep our 

oceans healthy 

and thriving. 

When trash is not 

properly recycled 

or thrown away, it 

can travel through 

streams and rivers 

to the ocean 

and become 

marine debris. 

In fact, according to the Ocean 

Conservancy, approximately 80 

percent of all marine debris comes 

from land-based sources.

COASTAL CONNECTION

Regardless of location, any 

careless, inadequate, or improper 

disposal of trash can potentially 

create marine debris. We all live in 

a watershed—an area that drains 

to a common waterbody—and 

our individual actions can have 

an immediate impact on the 

watershed and ultimately, the 

ocean. 

Inland waterways 

join together to 

form extensive 

networks. These 

water networks 

are capable 

of transporting 

trash, including 

plastic bags, 

cigarette butts, and food 

containers, hundreds of miles from 

inland areas to the oceans and 

coasts. 

To prevent marine debris, we 

must work together to stop trash 

from entering, traveling, and 

accumulating in our watershed.

MARINE DEBRIS: TRASH ON THE MOVE

DOWN THE DRAIN

The storm drain, an unexpected culprit, is often responsible for transporting trash 

into waterways. Stormwater runoff from rain or 

snowmelt picks up trash from roads, sidewalks, 

and parking lots and then carries it into storm 

drains. Some storm drains empty directly into 

nearby rivers, lakes, and streams, releasing any 

accumulated trash into the waterway.

Approximately 80 

percent of all marine 

debris comes from 

land-based sources.
Individuals play an important role in preventing 

marine debris. Anyone can help reduce the 

amount of trash in our oceans by understanding 

and changing the behaviors that lead to marine 

debris. 

•	Reduce, reuse, recycle. Minimize 

the amount of trash you create.

•	Don’t litter. Dispose of all trash in 

proper receptacles.

•	Pick up trash. Be on the lookout for 

litter around you. 

•	Tell a friend. Encourage others to help 

keep our oceans and waterways clean.

•	Volunteer for a cleanup. Participate 

in a local waterway or shoreline cleanup. To 

find a cleanup event near you, go to: 

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/marinedebris/

events.cfm

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Although marine debris is often seen as a local problem, it has 

environmental, economic, and health impacts that are felt globally. The extent of the impacts is determined by the type of marine 

debris and where it settles in the ocean (i.e., submerged, floating, 

or within a sensitive habitat).

The impact of marine debris is often intensified because 

marine debris items are man-made and tend to persist in the 

environment for years. Plastics, for example, can take hundreds of 

years to biodegrade in the ocean. Marine debris can release toxic 

compounds into the water, and medical and personal hygiene 

debris may transmit harmful bacteria and pathogens. In addition, 

beachgoers can be injured by stepping on broken glass, cans, or 

other hazardous items. 

Many types of marine wildlife, including seals, 

sea turtles, birds, fish, and whales are threatened 

by marine debris. Entanglement can constrict an 

animal’s movement, leaving it unable to swim or eat, and 

can lead to infection, suffocation, starvation, or drowning. Marine 

animals also commonly mistake plastic bags, cigarette butts, small 

pieces of plastic, and other debris for food. Ingested debris tends to 

collect in an animal’s stomach, causing starvation or malnutrition.

Marine debris also has negative economic impacts. Communities 

are burdened with the cost of cleaning roads, catch basins, storm 

drains, and coastlines to stop trash from becoming marine debris. 

Tourism revenue can be lost due to unsightly debris on beaches 

and coastlines. In some cases, marine debris can even cause 

beach closures.

OCEAN IMPACTS

Source: USFWS