How trashy? More than 10 million pounds, says Nicholas Mallos, conservation biologist and marine debris specialist. “We found a tremendous amount of trash this year, as we do every year.” But this year was one for the record books: the third all-time highest in total pounds collected, and it’s the second all-time highest in total items collected in the International Coastal Cleanup’s 27-year history. The “we” Mallos refers to are the volunteers who participated in 2012. During the cleanup, volunteers combed nearly 20,000 miles of the nation’s coastlines, picking up discarded trash and debris. The most picked-up items: cigarettes, food wrappers and containers, plastic bottles and bags, caps, lids, cutlery, straws and stirrers, glass bottles, cans and paper bags. And, weirdly enough, there were also 117 mattresses, a rubber chicken and a kitchen sink, says Mallos. “If you can imagine it, chances are it has been found in a cleanup.” The solution? Pledge to fight trash, says Mallos. “Trash jeopardizes all facets of our environment, ecosystem and economy. It can entangle wildlife, if they’re not already ingesting it, reducing their fitness or causing starvation.” You can do this by becoming a member of the Ocean Conservancy’s website, or by signing up for the 2013 Coastal Cleanup here. If this idea intimidates you, know this: no person can go from zero to holy sustainable overnight, says Mallos. “Living an entirely sustainable lifestyle overnight is a recipe for disaster,” he says. “Identify one simple measure, be it a reusable bag or water bottle, and slowly make that shift over time.” (Consider going green with these simple, stylish products.) Something that makes this shift a little easier is the Ocean Conservancy’s app Rippl (free for iPhone). Rippl allows you to set eco-friendly goals and create customizable alerts to remind you to grab reusable bags or coffee mugs before leaving the house. “It’s a digital string for your finger,” says Mallos. Of course, these aren’t the only trash-free tips to follow. Here are ten more, courtesy of the Ocean Conservancy: Even if you only end up following one of these suggested steps, it’s one that can keep the coast clear. “Collective impacts are huge,” says Mallos. “And it will take a collective movement to make a lasting difference.” More from Prevention: How To Waste Less Food Infographic credit: Ocean Conservancy
