The U.S. Navy Dumps Their Trash in the Ocean… WHAA?!

After having lunch today with a friend, I learned that the U.S. Navy disposes of their trash in the ocean. It’s called a “trash call.” The oceans, being all connected of course, are home to about 25% of the earth’s known animals. Each of these animals is affected by the trash that is dumped into the ocean. Now, if the Navy knows that they will be dumping their trash into the water, I sure hope they have considered these effects and choose to limit the them, and the quantity of waste, by only using materials that are easily degradable. These ships (don’t call them boats) can house around 5,000 people; a whole city’s worth. That is a lot of trash. Using reusable items, such as silverware, and natural products, such as elephant dung forks, should greatly reduce the effects that these “trash calls” have on our oceans. The Navy does try to decrease their waste, spending millions of dollars on this issue. For them, there are economic and security issues. Certain trash items cannot be thrown away without there being a security threat.

Another notable “trash call:” New York City’s trash is usually put in landfills in mountains up and down the east coast for a cost. However, if no state will accept NYC’s trash, the trash gets dumped straight into the ocean. New York City generates around 12,000 tons of garbage each day.

It is legal.

Solutions to the Problem?

• Start Small: REDUCE!!! REUSE!!! RECYCLE!!! Whole buildings are made out of trash, think of creative ways you can use your trash instead of buying new products.
• Go Bigger: POLICY One issue that affects every person in the world is the environment; no matter if you are living in a developing or developed nation, living on an island or continent, or working in the city or farming in the country. Countries around the world need to work together to find solutions for proper trash removal. Perhaps we can find peace enough to throw our trash away in other countries in exchange for them throwing their trash away in ours? The oceans affect every country. More policies need to be made between countries to help our oceans.

Thank you,

Caroline 🙂