Save the Fish
Newspaper: how long does it take to break down in the sea?
Estimated time to break down in the sea: > 6 weeks. Source: US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (bsee.gov).
Newspaper: why is it harmful to the sea?
Breaks down fast; inks add a little pollution.
Newspaper: does it really disappear?
Yes, within weeks or months. Inks and coatings stay behind as a little pollution.
Newspaper: how harmful is it compared with other trash?
Harm score 1 out of 10: lasts 0/4, toxic 1/3, wildlife 0/3. It ranks 29 of 31 on our list. This score is our own simple scale for comparing items in the game. It is not an official index.
Newspaper: what is it made of?
Material: Paper. A typical one is about 28 cm long and weighs about 50 g.
Newspaper: what can I do?
Paper breaks down fast, but inks and wax still pollute: collect it for recycling.
Newspaper: what lasts longer, and what breaks down sooner?
Lasts longer: Milk carton, Wool glove, Wool sock. Breaks down sooner: Cloth T-shirt, Paper bag, Cardboard box.
Newspaper: where does this figure come from?
From “Marine Debris Timeline of Biodegradation”, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Northwest District), information sourced from the US Environmental Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico Program. Checked on 2026-10-03.
The source's limits (in English): Approximate times printed on an educational poster. Real breakdown depends on sunlight, temperature, oxygen and microbes; plastics fragment into microplastics rather than disappear.