OUTREACH MATERIALS

Learn more about garbage patches including what they are and how we can help. Access the fact sheet here. 

Marine Debris is Everyone’s Problem poster, available in English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish. Access poster here. 

Our ocean and Great Lakes are polluted with a wide variety of marine debris, ranging from large fishing nets and abandoned vessels, down to the smallest plastic particles that can’t be seen with the naked eye. These microplastics are found throughout the ocean, from tropical waters, to polar ice, and even in fresh water and the air we breathe. Learn more about the different types of microplastics, where they come from, and what you can do to help! Access the fact sheet here. 

A poster describing what we know about garbage patches. Created with assistance from Sheavly Consultants, LLC. Access the poster here. 

EPA has developed this interactive mapping tool of twelve types of recyclers and landfills that manage disaster debris. This tool provides information and locations of over 20,000 facilities capable of managing different materials which may be found in disaster debris. The tool was created in EPA Region 5 in 2010 and has expanded to include data for all 50 states, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Access the tool here. 

Conducting shoreline, near-shore, and other in-water removal efforts is necessary for reducing the immediate threats and harm caused by marine debris. However, once marine debris is removed from the environment, many have issues with identifying options for disposing of it in their area. This document runs through a few disposal options to consider following marine debris removal activities. Access the fact sheet here. 

One of the main types of marine debris that you hear about today is plastic marine debris. In many places, it is the main type of debris that you will see as you walk along a beach, though perhaps not underwater. As common as they are on our beaches and in our homes, how much do you really know about plastics? Access the fact sheet here. 

Hurricanes and severe storms bring high winds, rain, strong waves, and storm surges that can damage or destroy your home, boat, or other property, can put your family or business at risk, and have the potential to create a large amount of marine debris. This document runs through some basic steps to prepare for storms and prevent your property from becoming marine debris. Access the fact sheet here. 

A fact sheet developed by Surfrider Foundation that describes what Extended Producer Responsibility is. 

Working with sea turtle nest patrol partners across the Southeast US, Ocean Conservancy developed this outreach campaign specifically geared for beachgoers and visitors, to inform how they can do their part to protect sea turtles and other beloved marine life from the harm of ocean trash. Family-friendly messaging provides tips on what to keep off the beach, alternatives to bring instead, and other ways to prevent trash from reaching the water. The main resource is a half-page flyer (attached) as well as stickers and occasionally, magnets (for beach rental properties, visitor centers, etc.). Please reach out to cleanup@oceanconservancy.org to request materials.

Marine debris can be dangerous for wildlife, damage sensitive habitats, and create safety and navigation hazards. But did you know that marine debris can also hurt the economies of coastal communities and decrease commercial fishing revenue? Marine debris can keep tourists away from beaches, compete with active fishing gear and reduce commercial catches, and cost small businesses money.  Learn more about the impacts of marine debris to the economy, the benefits of removal and prevention, and the ways the NOAA Marine Debris Program works to reduce the economic impacts of marine debris. Access the fact sheet here. 

Learn more about the NOAA Marine Debris Program's Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project, or MDMAP, which is a citizen science initiative that engages NOAA partners and volunteers across the nation to survey and record the amount and types of marine debris on shorelines. Access the fact sheet here. 

"What is Marine Debris?" is a foldable poster created by the NOAA Marine Debris Program that provides an overview of general marine debris, plastic debris, garbage patches, the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the impacts of debris, general debris facts, and how you can help. It is designed to be folded, displaying information as it is unfolded to reveal a larger poster for display. Access the poster here. 

Learn more about abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), how to prevent them, and how you can help. Access the fact sheet here. 

Fact sheet from Rutgers Cooperative Extension related to the topic of wetsuit recycling. Access the information here. 

Learn more about marine debris— what it is, where it comes from, and how we can help. Access the fact sheet here. 

Single-use plastic straws and stirrers continue to rank in the Top Ten items collected by volunteers during the International Coastal Cleanup. This is one type of marine debris that many of us can do without. Ocean Conservancy’s Skip the Straw outreach materials are geared for the general public, restaurants and their patrons to inform how we can do our small part to reduce waste, explore alternatives and stop trash before it can even reach the water. Resources range from an online pledge to stickers, window decals, coaster and tabletop tent designs for restaurants and more. Check the webpage or reach out to cleanup@oceanconserancy.org to request materials.  www.OceanConservancy.org/straws

A toolkit developed by Surfrider Foundation as a resource for those looking for information and guidance on bioplastics. The intended audience for this toolkit includes Surfrider Foundation chapters, Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) members and those interested in this program, retail brands scoping sustainable alternatives, local community leaders, organizations and even legislators.

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for single-use plastic waste reduction.

Presented by: Dr. Beizhan Yan, Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Microplastics have been found in nearly every ecosystem on earth from the snows of Mount Everest to the deep sea sediment of Monterey Canyon. In this presentation Columbia professor Dr. Beizhan Yan will present his research on microplastics in our local watershed. Dr. Yan will discuss where in the lower Hudson River and Estuary microplastics gather; what other pollutants such as PCBs are associated with microplastics; and how these pollutants travel through our waterways. Finally, he’ll discuss policy implications including whether a local ban on microplastics would be useful for curtailing the impact of these compounds on the ecosystem. Access the March 2023 Ames Webinar recording here.