Reducing Navy Marine Plastic Pollution
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the United States and other nations have become increasingly aware of the impacts of human activity on the marine environment. In recent years, no environmental issue involving the oceans has engendered as much public attention and concern as marine plastics pollution. Plastic debris from ships is littering beaches, and killing and debilitating fish and wildlife because they are ingesting plastic, or because they are becoming entangled in plastic debris. While no one is purposefully causing these impacts, the effects are becoming more pronounced. In the United States and throughout much of the world, the use of plastics has grown exponentially. Plastic products are often more economical than non-plastic substitutes and present many attractive characteristics. Plastics enhance the shelf life and storage of products, provide ease in handling and use of plastic products for food storage and packaging, and as a component of many everyday products, has increased significantly, The result is readily apparent in the increase in plastic use at home, in commercial use, and on board commercial and military ships.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 28, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201794