Students focus on one marine debris object commonly found on Oregon beaches, research its original purpose, user, and life cycle, and then propose targeted solutions to prevent this particular item from becoming marine debris.
Have you ever found litter on the beach and wondered what it is and where it came from? In this project, students focus on one particular item of marine debris that is found on Oregon beaches and try to learn about the item's STORY. What was the item originally used for? How does it move through its life cycle of manufacture, transportation, use, and disposal? How did this item end up abandoned or discarded in the marine environment?
Once students know the object's story, they identify solutions that would prevent this particular type of marine debris from ending up on the beach, and share their ideas with decision makers. The goal is to INTERRUPT the processes that led to the generation of this type of marine debris.
Educators, there are many ways you can participate in this project:
The resources below support this lesson. Download the Lesson PDF to learn more.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Polypropylene Life Cycle
Polypropylene Impacts on Marine Environments
Making Connections to Oyster Farming
Exploring Possible Solutions
Case Studies
Some documents in this lesson are from a third party and may not be fully ADA accessible. If you encounter barriers to accessing a document please let us know.
The resources below support this lesson. Download the Lesson PDF to learn more.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Polyethylene Life Cycle
Impacts on Marine Environments
Making Connections to Shotgun Use
Article: Shotgun Wads
Video: Plastic vs Fibre Wad
Article: Plastic Wad and Fibre Wad Compared
Addressing Shotgun Wad Debris in Greater Fallerones National Marine Sanctuary
New Zealand Students Solve a Mystery
Biodegradable Shotgun Wads
Questions for Industry
Potential Community Partners
Some documents in this lesson are from a third party and may not be fully ADA accessible. If you encounter barriers to accessing a document please let us know.
The resources below support this lesson. Download the Lesson PDF to learn more.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Biodegradable Latex Balloons?
Plastic Life Cycle
Adding to the Story
Impacts of Balloon Debris
Balloons in Use
Balloons Releases
Balloon Industry Updates
Local Industry Connections
Exploring Alternatives
Some documents in this lesson are from a third party and may not be fully ADA accessible. If you encounter barriers to accessing a document please let us know.
Use the resources below and the Lesson Template to create your own lesson.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Plastic Life Cycle
Adding to the Story
Impacts of Plastic Bands
Industry Perspectives
Research Perspectives
Rowley, K. 2021. Plastic Packing Bands: Bibliography, NOAA Central Library
Substitutions
Article: Paper Strapping
Policy Approaches
Article: Packing bands entangle seals and sea lions around the world
Research Paper: Hogan, E. & A. Warlick, 2017
Solutions
Sand Toys on the Beach
Use the resources below and the Lesson Template to create your own lesson.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Plastic Life Cycle
Adding to the Story
Impacts of Plastic Sand Toys
Tourism Industry Connection
Costs and Benefits
Possible Solutions
Solutions
Use the resources below and the Lesson Template to create your own lesson.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Plastic Life Cycle
Impacts on Marine Environments
Adding to the Story
Hagfish Fishery Connections
Learning about hagfish gear
Current Projects
Possible Solutions
Solutions
Use the resources below and the Lesson Template to create your own lesson.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Plastic Life Cycle
Adding to the Story
Shellfish Aquaculture Connections
Industry Solutions
Possible Solutions
Solutions
Use the resources below and the Lesson Template to create your own lesson. Plastic bottle marine debris is so prevalent it might make sense to focus on a specific, easily-identified subset or type of plastic single use water bottle.
General Background Information
The Hook
Beach Data
Plastic Life Cycle
Adding to the Story
The Story of Bottled Water
Refuse Single Use Water Bottles
Substitutions
Improve Recycling Rates
Solutions
Removing marine debris is important. But during beach clean ups, we often ask ourselves if it would be even better if we could prevent items from becoming marine debris in the first place.
The Marine Debris Interruptions project is supported by funding from the NOAA National Sea Grant Office, the NOAA Marine Debris Program, and Oregon Sea Grant.