Yes! While Indiana does not border any oceans or seas, trash ‘travels well’. Whether by land transport, lakes and rivers, or through stormwater systems, trash that enters the ocean or the Great Lakes is referred to as marine debris. In Indiana, you may have heard of aquatic trash more frequently. Aquatic trash refers to trash that enters lakes, rivers, or streams, prior to “becoming” marine debris. In our northern region, Indiana’s aquatic trash can become marine debris quite quickly.
Where does aquatic trash come from?
Most aquatic trash comes from land-based activities. Often this is accidental pollution – an overflowing trash can that is bumped, a wrapper that blows away in the wind, or an unsecured open trash can at an outdoor event. These types of pollution can travel over land or be blown into stormwater drains and nearby bodies of water.
Indiana’s top types of marine debris reported during the 2023 International Coastal Cleanup included cigarette butts and plastic bottles – similar to the top categories collected worldwide during the event.
All citizens should be on the lookout and know how to report illegal dumping whether it’s observed on land or water. In the Indianapolis area, you can report illegal dumping through RequestIndy or by calling the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622.
Impacts of aquatic trash and marine debris
Not only does trash in our waterways impact the water quality itself, but surrounding plant, animal and human populations are impacted. Animals can become entangled, mistake trash for food, or inadvertently consume microplastics. Plants can be smothered by trash or impacted by organisms that are transported on the trash itself.
Communities are impacted by aquatic trash which looks unsightly, can harbor bacteria, and can cause interruption of recreational water activities which many economically depend on.
In recent times, plastic pollution has caused the biggest impacts because they persist in the environment, are in used in countless products, and even break down into smaller particles that not as easy to remove.
As you are outside enjoying our Indiana summer, take note of the trash you generate and dispose of it properly. Be a good neighbor to protect our waterways, ecosystems, and drinking water sources!
