Save the Fish
Pencil: how long does it take to break down in the sea?
Estimated time to break down in the sea: > 13 years. Source: Aquarium of the Bay (aquariumofthebay.org).
Pencil: why is it harmful to the sea?
Wood rots slowly; paint and the metal band stay behind.
Pencil: does it really disappear?
The wood rots slowly; the paint and the metal band stay behind.
Pencil: how harmful is it compared with other trash?
Harm score 3 out of 10: lasts 2/4, toxic 1/3, wildlife 0/3. It ranks 23 of 31 on our list. This score is our own simple scale for comparing items in the game. It is not an official index.
Pencil: what is it made of?
Material: Painted wood, graphite and a metal band. A typical one is about 17.5 cm long and weighs about 6 g.
Pencil: what can I do?
Small litter still counts: put it in a bin, never on the beach, in a drain or down the toilet.
Pencil: what lasts longer, and what breaks down sooner?
Lasts longer: Ice cream stick, Candy wrapper, Foam food box. Breaks down sooner: Cigarette butt, Plywood, Balloon.
Pencil: where does this figure come from?
From “Marine Debris Prevention: decomposition key”, Aquarium of the Bay (San Francisco). Checked on 2026-10-15.
The source says“Pencil 13 years”The source's limits (in English): Educational estimates 'in the marine environment'.