The problem of today's litter is not merely aesthetic. Plastic debris can snare boat propellers, causing substantial damage to the motor. Medical wastes menace barefoot beachgoers and pose a threat of contamination. Glass or metal shards can cause serious gashes. And, beaches which endure frequent closings due to trash or medical waste suffer a loss of tourist revenues.
Animals often fare even worse.
A simple plastic six-pack yoke can mean death to an ensnared marine mammal or bird. Gill fishing nets, discarded or torn free, float with the ocean currents catching fish and other animals. Endangered sea turtles consume floating plastic bags, likely mistaking them for jellyfish, one of their favorite foods. Of all the manmade goods produced over the past several decades, plastics are among the most persistent and pervasive. The qualities that make plastic such a versatile material for so many products can make it harmful once it is released to the environment.