How Long Until It’s Gone?

As our sailing season gets underway, it’s important to remember just how fragile our environment is and how even the smallest errant piece of litter stays with us a long, long time. While you’re out on the water with family and friends, please be mindful to bag your trash and dispose of it properly. Earlier this month, NOAA published a helpful infographic that illustrates the estimated decomposition rates for common marine refuse. Did you know that a plastic bottle is estimated to take 450 years to decompose? A discarded or fly-away plastic grocery bag can stay with us for up to 20 years!

Source: NOAA

“How Long Until It’s Gone” Source: NOAA (Click to enlarge)


Interested in learning more? Go to http://games.noaa.gov/oscar/media/beach_guide.pdf.

As informative as this infographic is, it doesn’t include the detergents, petroleum products, bottom paint, cleaners, solvents and other materials used by many in the commissioning of their boats for the season. PLEASE, remember to use tarps and dispose of all trash properly — and remember, it’s the law.