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Trash Talk: Where Does Marine Debris Come From?

2 minutes 2 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

Marine debris comes from many different sources and enters the ocean in many ways. Intentional littering and dumping are big causes. Sometimes the trash goes directly into the ocean, and sometimes marine debris is indirectly generated in a city hundreds of miles from the ocean. When someone litters on the street or parking lot, rainwater can move the trash into storm drains that empty into streams, rivers, and other bodies of water. Improper or careless waste disposal also contributes to this environmental concern. Part of the "Trash Talk" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 2 minutes 2 seconds

Very close up view of microplastics. Caption: Microplastics that as less than five millimeters long--
Trash Talk
Episode 1
2 minutes 8 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Artwork of a bird and fish. Caption: animals often mistake plastic debris for food and eat it.
Trash Talk
Episode 2
1 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Artwork of plastic water bottle, trash bags, straws, and plastic bag. Caption: We find plastic everywhere,
Trash Talk
Episode 3
2 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Five people picking up trash. Caption: and participate in shoreline cleanups.
Trash Talk
Episode 4
1 minutes 58 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A net floating in water tangled in plastic. Caption: We call that derelict fishing gear,
Trash Talk
Episode 5
2 minutes 6 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
An illustration of a trash bin with its side on the road on a rainy day. Caption: rainwater can move the trash into storm drains.
Trash Talk
Episode 6
2 minutes 2 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12