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Coastal Cleanup Day Data Analysis

Types of Marine Debris found along our Coastline

The goal of Coastal Cleanup Day is to remove debris from the Coast, learn more about the types and sources of marine debris and ultimately to change the behaviors that cause the pollution in the first place.  New this year, ECOSLO compiled and analyzed the types of trash collected at each beach site.
The following are some noteworthy results we found, followed with ways we can all chip in reduce our trash footprint!


The Top 5 most common items Found (with 17 SLO County sites reporting):

    1) Cigarettes (18,307)

    2) Food Wrappers (4,811)

    3) Caps and Lids (2,399)

    4) Plastic Bags (1,679)

    5) Straws and Stirs (1,001)

Items of Local Concern/health and Safety: 

    Broken Glass

    Nails

    Fireworks

    Syringes

    Band-aids

    Styrofoam products

    Lots of Plastic!



Tips from ECOSLO to reduce our Trash Footprint!

Based on the types and volume of Marine Debris found along the coast, here are some tips from ECOSLO on how to reduce our trash footprint, and prevent that trash from making its way out to our oceans and waterways.

    1) Dispose of cigarette butts appropriately.  (Litter inland will find its way out to our waterways).

    2) Paper or Plastic?  Neither! Bring your own reusable grocery bags with you to the store.

    3) Say no to bottled water (Plastic Caps were the third most common item found). Consider buying a reusable stainless steel water bottle that's safe for you     and good for the environment.

    4) Look for products with less plastic packaging (Food Containers were the 2nd most common item found).

    5) Recycle any plastic bags you do use at your closest grocery store!

    6) Start a home compost.

    7) Do not use firewood with nails in it for bonfires; this is a human safety risk!

    8) Do you really need to use that stir straw for your morning cup of coffee? Why not bring a travel mug, put the lid on it and shake it up!



These are just a few of the many ways to reduce our trash footprint, so get creative and come up with even more solutions!