International Coastal Cleanup Yields More Than 10 Million Pounds of Trash

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The total amount of trash picked up during Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup surpassed the 10 million pound mark, according to data released today – with the second highest total items reported in the Cleanup's 27-year history. The new numbers offer a snapshot of the trash found along the ocean and waterways throughout the country and world. 

The tallies were collected during the 2012 International Coastal Cleanup, the largest annual volunteer effort for the ocean. This year, while celebrating the tremendous volunteer effort, Ocean Conservancy is also stressing it is not enough to just clean it up – we need to rethink trash from beginning to end point.

Total numbers (more data available at http://www.oceanconservancy.org/2013data):

• More than 550,000 people (561,633) picked up more than 10 million pounds of trash (10,149,988) along nearly 20,000 miles of coastlines (17,719)
• 2^nd all-time highest in total items reported since 1986
• 3^rd all-time highest in total pounds collected since 1986

Everyone can be a part of the solution for trash free seas. Here are three things you can do right now to help tackle trash:

1. Pledge to fight trash: What would happen if 10,000 people decided not to make as much trash for one month? We could reduce the trash on Earth by over 1 million pounds. Take the pledge to help turn the tide on trash.
2. Download Rippl, Ocean Conservancy's free mobile application that helps you make simple, sustainable lifestyle choices.
3. Mark your calendar for September 21 so that you can be part of the next International Coastal Cleanup.

Ocean Conservancy has been organizing the Cleanup for 27 years, and while picking up the trash that's already on our beaches and waterways is an important component to fighting marine debris, it's not enough. 

"More than 10 million pounds of trash – that's an astounding amount," said Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy's marine debris specialist. "Whether it's the smallest bottle cap to the weirdest finds, like the 117 mattresses collected, every piece of trash affects the health of our ocean, and subsequently our economy, environment and health."

Partners:
The Coca-Cola Company has supported Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup for the past 18 years. Last year, Coca-Cola activated a global employee engagement campaign to encourage participation in the Cleanup. Over 24,000 Coca-Cola system associates, their friends and families in 27 countries volunteered, cleaning more than 1,300 miles of coastline. As part of its commitment to address global climate change, Bank of America has supported the Cleanup since 2002, with thousands of employees participating in Cleanup events all around the world. Other national sponsors include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Altria Group, Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, Landshark Lager, Glad, Brunswick Public Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, CVS Caremark, Teva and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Media Contact: Katie Cline, 202-351-0482, [email protected]

SOURCE Ocean Conservancy