WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ocean Conservancy is releasing today a new report titled “Tracking Trash: 25 Years of Action for the Ocean.” This milestone report compiles data and stories about trash in the ocean, known as marine debris, for every participating state and country, collected from 2010 and as well as 25 years of International Coastal Cleanups—the largest volunteer effort for the ocean. The report also highlights solutions from individuals to inspire behavior change and from companies to accelerate product innovation.
Graphics, photos, video and state-specific information is available at www.oceanconservancy.org/iccmedia
With this report, Ocean Conservancy is expanding its efforts from an annual cleanup day to a year round campaign for “Trash Free Seas”. In addition, this week Ocean Conservancy is a proud supporter of the 5th International Marine Debris Conference in Hawaii—a meeting of researchers, policy makers, industry representatives and nonprofits to pioneer solutions to the marine debris problem.
“Images of entangled birds, turtles choking on plastic bags and floating trash have become all too familiar,” said Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy. “You name it, we have found it on the beach and in the water. We find beach litter like cigarette butts and plastic bags, toilet seats, washing machines, abandoned fishing gear—even the proverbial kitchen sink. For twenty-five years we have watched as trash has threatened ocean wildlife and ecosystems; and undermined tourism and economic activity. We’ve seen more trash to clean up, but we’ve also seen more people inspired to be part of the solution.”
“Our vision is for Trash Free Seas,” said Spruill. “This problem is preventable, and keeping our ocean free from trash is one of the easiest ways we can make the ocean more resilient. From product design to trash disposal, we all have a role to play.”
Highlighted Findings from 2010 Coastal Cleanups
- During the 25th annual Cleanup in 2010, over six hundred thousand (615,407) people removed more than eight million (8,698,572) pounds of trash.
- In 2010, volunteers collected enough tires to outfit almost fifty-five hundred (5,464) cars.
- In 2010 the amount of cigarettes/cigarette butts collected is equal to nearly ninety-five thousand (94,626) packs of cigarettes.
- The eight million pounds of trash collected during the 2010 Cleanup would cover about 170 football fields.
Highlighted Results from the Past 25 Years of Cleanups
- Fifty-three million cigarettes/cigarette filters that have been found would fill 100 Olympic-size swimming pools.
- Appliances collected over 25 years of Cleanups (117,356) would fill 32,600 dump trucks.
- Over 863 thousand (863,135) diapers would be enough to put one on every child born in the UK last year.
- Over the past 25 years, more than eight and a half million (8,763,377) volunteers have removed one hundred and forty-five million (144,606,491) pounds of trash in 152 countries and locations.
- Volunteers have collected enough cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons over 25 years to host a picnic for 2 million people.
Ocean Conservancy is building a new Trash Free Seas Alliance to bring people together to find solutions. Ocean Conservancy welcomes industries, communities and governments to collaborate on innovative ways to secure a future of Trash Free Seas.
Partners:
The Coca-Cola Company has supported Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) for the past 16 years. Last year, Coca-Cola activated a global employee engagement campaign around the Cleanup called “Pick it Up, Clean it Up, Sea Change!” Nearly 26,000 Coca-Cola system associates, their friends and families in 175 locations across 40 countries participated in the ICC, contributing more than 200,000 hours of volunteer time. As part of its commitment to address global climate change, Bank of America has supported the ICC for the past several years, with thousands of employees participating in Cleanup events in the United States and around the world. Other national sponsors include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Altria Group, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, The Dow Chemical Company, Brunswick Public Foundation, The Solo Cup Company, and US Environmental Protection Agency.
Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. To learn more about Ocean Conservancy visit www.oceanconservancy.org.
Graphics, photos, video and state-specific information is available at www.oceanconservancy.org/iccmedia
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