Litter and Marine Debris

Even the smallest bits of trash can be harmful. For example, cigarette butts flow into storm drains, then directly to our rivers and streams. The chemicals they retain are released as they flow downstream to the ocean. Just as troubling, cigarette butts, tiny bits of plastic, and other trash are readily eaten by marine life. If we eat seafood, we may also ingest these contaminants. 

You Can Help

Volunteer

The time and energy you spend volunteering with SOLVE has a huge impact on Oregon's environment. In the last year alone, SOLVE volunteers picked up 365,000 pounds of trash, with over 7.5 MILLION pounds of trash picked up over the last 10 years. Your hard work keeps our neighborhoods and natural areas clean.

Pick It Up

Pick up trash whenever you see it. Remember that the small pieces are often the most harmful, because birds don't eat tires!

Educate and Inform

Without preaching, explain to others about the need to pick up litter. If necessary, remind folks that littering is a crime, with the strongest penalties for littering near waterways. Inform law enforcement agencies about violators immediately.

Learn More

Litter

• Keep America Beautiful - A thorough study of the causes and frequency of littering, and good resources for prevention.
• Litter-bug.org - Report litter violations.
• Oregon Department of State Lands - An article on the effects of litter on the environment.
• Stoplittering.com - Litter information and prevention tips.
• Litterpreventionprogram.com Litter prevention and total recycling

Marine Debris

• Algalita Marine Research Institute - An Oceanography institute that has done substantial research on the issue of marine debris. They floated the JunkRaft from Los Angeles to Hawaii to raise awareness of the problem.
• The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence - Resources for educators with curriculum ideas related to marine debris.
• Global Marine Litter Information Gateway - The Kid's Against Marine Litter Page has resources to get children thinking about the problems with litter.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program and Information Sheet on debris from the 2011 Japan Tsunami.
• The Ocean Conservancy - Partners with SOLVE for its International Coastal Cleanup in September. They publish many resources on issues confronting the world's oceans. Their 2009 Report has lots of information on marine debris.
• Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition - An organization dedicated to preserving the Oregon Coast. Through the CoastWatch program, a group of dedicated volunteer stewards have adopted a stretch of coastline and conduct regular cleanups.
• Oregon Parks and Recreation Department - The Parks Department manages Oregon's many State Parks along the coast.
• Plastic Oceans - PBS Newshour - Watch this segment on Marine Debris and ocean plastics.
• Rise Above Plastics - Surfrider Foundation - This partner organization provides good ideas on how you can reduce the amount of plastics you consume.
• Turning the Tide on Trash - A Learning Guide on Marine Debris put together by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Washed Ashore - As an antidote to despair, volunteers pick up plastics from Oregon beaches and make educational art! Since the inception of the project, 1000s of pounds of plastic pollution have been processed into art supplies by Washed Ashore.