Food wrappers were the most common waste item found during the 2024 International Coastal Cleanup, with over *** million units collected globally. Plastic beverage bottles were the second most collected waste item, while cigareete butts dropped to thrid place. In total, millions of waste items were collected from beaches and the ocean.Â
What is the International Coastal Cleanup?
The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the world dedicated to the health of oceans. Every September, people around the world volunteer to collect waste from waterways, beaches, rivers, and even underwater sites. In 2024, more than 486,000 people volunteered for the ICC and collected **** million kilograms of waste along * kilometers of coast.Â
Effects of plastic ocean waste
Plastic waste has become a major problem worldwide. Every year, a huge quantity of mismanaged plastic waste makes its way into oceans and waterways, harming marine life and ecosystems. Animals, including endangered species, often get entangled in plastics, while others have been found to have ingested residues due to the debris being mistaken for nutrition.
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Ocean Conservancy. (September 4, 2025). Most common items found during the International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from /statistics/726724/weight-of-most-common-items-found-in-global-oceans/
Ocean Conservancy. "Most common items found during the International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2024." Chart. September 4, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 14, 2026. /statistics/726724/weight-of-most-common-items-found-in-global-oceans/
Ocean Conservancy. (2025). Most common items found during the International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 14, 2026. /statistics/726724/weight-of-most-common-items-found-in-global-oceans/
Ocean Conservancy. "Most Common Items Found during The International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 4 Sep 2025, /statistics/726724/weight-of-most-common-items-found-in-global-oceans/
Ocean Conservancy, Most common items found during the International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/726724/weight-of-most-common-items-found-in-global-oceans/ (last visited July 14, 2026)
Most common items found during the International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2024 [Graph], Ocean Conservancy, September 4, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/726724/weight-of-most-common-items-found-in-global-oceans/
