TOP 15 MARINE DEBRIS ITEMS
FOUND IN THE OCEAN IN ONE YEAR
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1.  Cigarette Butts = 2,043,470
That's enough cigarettes that when laid end to end, they are the same length as 4,257 school buses. Did you know these butts (the filters) are actually made from a type of plastic called cellulose acetate?
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2.   Food Wrappers = 1,685,422
Did you know that most food wrappers, including chip bags and candy wrappers are actually plastic?
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3.   Plastic Beverage Bottles = 940,170
That's enough beverage bottles to give every fan attending the Super Bowl 11 sodas.
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4.   Plastic Bottle Caps = 847,972
That is enough bottle caps that when laid end to end, they would cover 3 football fields.

5.   Straws/Stirrers = 555,007
In the United States alone, 500 million straws are used and thrown away every single day.  

6. Plastic Grocery Bags = 441,493
That's enough grocery bags that when combined, they weigh more than a pickup truck.

7 Glass Beverage Bottles = 394,796
All glass bottles can be beautiful and are great for reuse as vases or for other craft projects.

8. Other Plastic Bags = 389,088
These include garbage bags, sandwich bags, clothing store bags, newspaper bags, and more.

9. Paper Bags = 368,746
It is estimated Americans consume more than 10 billion paper bags each year.

10. Beverage Cans = 339,170
Did you know that once recycled, an aluminum can become a new can in as little as 60 days?

11. Plastic Lids = 312,996
This category includes lids for to-go drinks and coffee.

12. Metal Bottle Caps = 304,638
Metal bottle caps are great for crafts. Collect metal caps to use as decorations for picture frames or games like checkers.

13. Plastic Cups and Plates = 282,743
That is enough cups and plates to host a block party for every single person in Newark, New Jersey.

14. Plastic Takeout Containers = 234,692
Next time, think abut reusing these to-go food containers for storing things or other food.

15. Other Plastic / Foam Packaging = 233,595
This category includes plastic tarps, crates, fishing bait containers, and the foam packaging that surrounds new appliances and electronics. While it may seem crazy, even foam is a type of plastic!