Since most rockets are 'expendable', and perform re-entry over sea, their parts either burn up or end up in the world's oceans.

It there any legal basis for the waste that ends up in the ocean?

For comparison, if I have an empty, useless and worthless rocket on land, and I want to save on disposal costs.

• Can I rent a ship, sail out to sea, and dump the rocket - legally - in the ocean? (I hope not?)
• What if I refurbish the same rocket, fill it with fuel, and launch it straight into the ocean?
• What if I launch a payload to orbit with it, and then let the first stage crash in the ocean?

Do launching countries themselves have regulations for this, or is it covered by international treaties (such as exist for radioactive waste)?

Since most rockets are 'expendable', and perform re-entry over sea, their parts either burn up or end up in the world's oceans.

It there any legal basis for the waste (pollution) that ends up in the ocean?

For comparison, if I have an empty, useless and worthless rocket on land, and I want to save on disposal costs.

• Can I rent a ship, sail out to sea, and dump the rocket - legally - in the ocean? (I hope not?)
• What if I refurbish the same rocket, fill it with fuel, and launch it straight into the ocean?
• What if I launch a payload to orbit with it, and then let the first stage crash in the ocean?

Do launching countries themselves have regulations for this, or is it covered by international treaties such as exist for radioactive waste?