"According to the U.S. National Park Service, tourists account for over 300 million visits to national parks each year . But even more staggering is the 70 million tons of trash that is left behind . While a majority of this waste ends up in garbage cans and recycling bins, hundreds of thousands of pieces of trash still end up scattered in the wilderness."
"Similarly, popular recreational hubs like beaches host upwards of 180 million people annually . Cigarette butts, plastic packaging, and glass bottles are buried in the sand and drift out into the water. The litter makes its way into the homes and stomachs of animals, causing injuries due to toxic chemicals and blockages in their digestive systems. Surfers Against Sewage states that one in every three fish consumed contains plastic ."
"In fact, more than 100,000 marine mammals die each year because of plastic ingestion . Not only does litter affect the environment, but it also puts additional strain on people helping to protect it. In 2023, volunteers of the Forest Service Volunteer Program spent a staggering 2.6 million hours restoring trails. This grueling work often leads volunteers to focus on cleaning the same areas, raising concerns about effectiveness and efficiency."
National parks receive over 300 million visits annually and leave about 70 million tons of trash. Beaches host about 180 million visitors each year, producing cigarette butts, plastic packaging, and glass bottles that enter sand and oceans. Litter contaminates wildlife, causes chemical injuries and digestive blockages; one in three fish consumed contains plastic and over 100,000 marine mammals die yearly from plastic ingestion. Volunteer programs logged 2.6 million hours restoring trails in 2023, often concentrating on the same areas and raising concerns about cleanup effectiveness. Vast forest and beach expanses make identifying trash hotspots and addressing litter causes difficult. Local cleanups can be exhausting and temporary.
Read at Earth911
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