Nearly 37K Pieces Of Trash Picked Up From Cape Cod Beaches In 2022

CAPE COD, MA — The Center for Coastal Studies organized a number of beach cleanups across Cape Cod in 2022. Now, they've released data from what they found.

In total, the organization said volunteers removed 36,983 pieces of debris from beaches on Cape Cod.

"These efforts help to reduce pollution on Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, places that provide habitats to many living creatures," the organization said.

According to the organization, the most commonly found items included 3,727 rigid plastic pieces, 2,786 foam pieces, 2,702 food wrappers, 2,636 plastic film pieces, 2,371 cigarette butts, 2,217 plastic bottle caps, 1,853 rope pieces less than 3 feet, 1,626 foam cup pieces, 1,331 balloons or strings and 878 net pieces.

The National Parks Service said this debris can have a serious effect on wildlife in the area.

"Larger debris can cause habitat destruction by smothering sensitive habitat, like seagrass beds and dunes. Marine debris can also cause entanglement," the NPS said.

"Many animals like birds, fish, crabs, mammals, and sea turtles can become entangled in active fishing gear, lost or abandoned gear, and single-use plastics like plastic bags."

To read more about the impact of marine debris, click here.