Biology Regents Practice Exam

Which human activity would most directly reduce the amount of plastic garbage entering the ocean?

1. Ban the production of all plastic bags

2. Clean up plastic trash from shorelines

3. Manufacture fewer reusable water bottles

4. Implement a glass bottle deposit system

The correct answer is: Clean up plastic trash from shorelines

Cleaning up plastic trash from shorelines effectively removes existing plastic debris from the environment, preventing it from entering the ocean. This action directly addresses the issue by taking tangible waste out of the ecosystem, thereby reducing the overall amount of plastic pollution in marine environments. While other options like banning plastic bags or implementing a glass bottle deposit system can help mitigate future plastic waste and promote sustainable practices, they do not directly remove existing plastics already in the ocean or on shores. Therefore, the act of cleaning up plastic trash from shorelines provides an immediate solution to an ongoing environmental problem, making it the most direct action to reduce plastic garbage entering the ocean.