Sources of Shoreline Litter

Shoreline litter comes in many forms and sizes. It can be plastic, metal, glass, cloth or paper. It can be as small as a plastic resin pellet or as large as a couch. Whether discarded accidentally or deliberately, all of the shoreline litter we find in Canada is the result of human activities.

Everyone who participates in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup records the type and amount of litter they collect on data cards. This data is then compiled and used to determine which kinds of litter are the most prevalent throughout the country. It also illustrates what types of behaviours people need to change in order to decrease the amount of shoreline litter and eliminate it at the source.

On these data cards, participants categorize litter items according to the activities that produce them. These categories are:

Shoreline and Recreational Activities:

Every year, the majority of litter items we find originate from shoreline and recreational activities. As you can see this category includes things like food wrappers, beverage containers, plastic bags, caps, lids and aluminum cans.

This type of litter is created from beachgoers, picnickers, sports events, festivals, barbecues and other outdoor events.  Most of these activities take place on land, and the items are either blown into the water or are carried by creeks, rivers and storm drains to the shoreline and onward.

Ocean/Waterway Activities:

This category includes trash from recreational fishing and boating, as well as commercial activities such as fishing, shipping, cruise ships and more. Items originating from these activities include oil/lube bottles, rope, fishing line, nets, crab/lobster traps, jigs and sinkers.

Smoking Related Activities:

Far too often our parks and beaches end up being used as ashtrays. Cigarette butts are consistently the most common litter item found during the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Other items included in this category are cigarette packaging, plastic cigar tips, matches and lighters.

Dumping Activities:

Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately, this attitude is one reason that so many of our shoreline ecosystems have turned into dumping grounds. Items that fall under this category include building and construction materials, cars and car parts, household appliances, tires and batteries.

Medical/Personal Hygiene:

As a result of sewage overflow or personal carelessness, litter items from this category require special handling. This type of litter includes disposable diapers, condoms, tampons, syringes and needles.

By participating in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup you’re ensuring that these harmful items are removed from our shorelines and end up where they belong, in appropriate waste disposal or recycling facilities.

To learn more about why these items must be removed, see Impacts of Shoreline Litter.