Litter and Animals
When trash ends up in nature instead of in a garbage can or recycling bin, it is called litter. Litter is a big problem for animals and the environment.
Birds, turtles, and fish can mistake small pieces of plastic for food. When they eat plastic, it fills up their stomachs but gives them no nutrition. They can feel full but actually be starving.
Sea turtles often confuse floating plastic bags with jellyfish, which is their favorite food. When they eat a plastic bag, it can block their stomach and make them very sick.
Animals can also get tangled in trash. Six-pack rings (the plastic rings that hold soda cans together) can get stuck around a bird's neck or a turtle's shell. As the animal grows, the ring gets tighter and can hurt them badly.
Small pieces of trash called microplastics are everywhere — in the ocean, in rivers, in soil, and even in the air. These tiny plastic bits are eaten by the smallest ocean creatures, and then bigger animals eat the smaller ones, spreading plastic through the entire food chain.
**Important:** Always cut apart six-pack rings before throwing them away, and NEVER leave trash outdoors. Even a small piece of litter can seriously harm an animal.