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Course Outline

Did You Know?

Here are some common ways that boaters harm the environment.

Trash

If you simply toss your trash into the water, it will be around for years. Here’s the time it takes for some common items to decompose.

Paper

Paper takes 2–4 weeks. Wax-coated paper, such as a fast food wrapper or cup, takes much longer.

Tin can

Tin cans take 100 years.

Crushed aluminum can

Aluminum cans take 200–500 years.

Plastic six-pack rings

Plastic six-pack rings or any other plastic takes 450 years.

Glass bottle

Glass bottles take more than 500 years.

Petroleum Products

Small amounts of petroleum products spilled in the water can have a large impact.

Gasoline container

One gallon of gasoline can contaminate 750 gallons of drinking water.

Oil container - labeled as OIL

One single quart of oil when spilled can create an oil slick as large as three football fields and remain in the area for up to two years.

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