Ocean Conservancy Report

Trash in Our Ocean has Become One of the Worst Pollution Problems We Face Threatening Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Coastal Economies

Data collected during the 24th annual International Coastal Cleanup provide the only global snapshot of the marine debris problem; 500,000 volunteers around the world removed 7.4 million pounds of trash from our ocean, lakes and rivers

Washington, DC – Today, Ocean Conservancy releases Trash Travels: From Our

Hands to the Sea, Around the Globe, and Through Time – the only global snapshot of

the marine debris problem facing wildlife, economies and marine ecosystems. Nearly

500,000 volunteers around the world combed their local beaches and waterways

collecting trash and recording the data during the 24th annual International Coastal

Cleanup – the largest volunteer effort of its kind. Volunteers removed and recorded 7.4

million pounds of trash in 108 countries and locations, 45 US states and the District

of Columbia. The report features Ocean Conservancy’s annual Marine Debris Index –

the world’s only country-by-country, state-by-state analysis of trash in our ocean and

waterways. Trash Travels also shines a spotlight on the growing threat of marine debris

– one of our greatest global pollution problems.

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Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup engages volunteer organizations

and individuals to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways; to

identify the sources of debris; and to change policies and behaviors that cause marine

debris in the first place. Visit www.oceanconservancy.org to download the report and

to find out what you can do to make a difference - including signing up for the 25th

International Coastal Cleanup to be held around the world on September 25th, 2010.