Alison Teal walking through "Trash Island," a giant landfill in the Maldives that gets up to 400 tons of trash per day. (All photos: Sarah Lee) Filmmaker Alison Teal was in the process of literally exposing herself to a national TV audience when she found new inspiration: exposing the serious and complex trash-pollution issues affecting the Maldives, and turning plastic garbage into something useful.

Marine Debris - US Military dumping in ocean

EPA is working to reduce the amount of trash and litter that enters streams and rivers, lakes and bays, beaches and coastlines, and ultimately the world's oceans. This Agency work includes outreach and education, research, and new program partnerships.

Vessels of all sizes can be sources of marine debris. Fishing vessels can be sources of fishing nets, lines, lures, rope, bait boxes, and light sticks. Recreational boats, military and other government vessels, cargo ships, cruise ships, ferries, and charter boats can be sources of galley waste, trash, plastic bags, and other materials.

Friends of the Earth grades environmental practices of cruise lines WASHINGTON, D.C. - Cruise ships dumped more than 1 billion gallons of sewage in the ocean last year, much of it raw or poorly treated, according to federal data analyzed by Friends of the Earth, which is calling for stronger rules to protect oceans, coasts, sea life and people.