Single-Use Plastic Makes up the Majority of Trash Identified for Three Years in a Row, Underscoring Urgent Need for Solutions.
The 5 Gyres Institute published results from its annual Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz, a community science project that tracks waste trends across U.S. national parks and federal lands. According to data submitted by volunteers, plastic is the most prevalent material polluting national parks for the third year in a row, making up nearly 80% of waste recorded in 2024.
Single-use plastic items made up the majority of waste found, with food wrappers, cigarette butts, bottles, bottle caps/rings, film, and bags included in the top 10 identifiable items. Wipes and textiles, both typically made of synthetic fibers, were also common items identified. Notably, unidentifiable plastic fragments made up 28% of the entire study, indicating that existing plastic pollution is breaking down into smaller pieces and contributing to an abundance of microplastic pollution in the environment.
The top brands identified primarily represent tobacco, food, and beverage companies, including Marlboro, Gatorade, Camel, Kirkland, and McDonald’s. When these subsidiary brands are attributed to parent corporations, Philip Morris International, PepsiCo Inc., and Anheuser-Busch InBev emerge as the top corporate polluters. This data aligns with findings from a research paper published earlier this year, co-authored by 5 Gyres, that found 56 companies are responsible for more than 50 percent of branded plastic pollution.
“This year’s findings highlight a stark truth: nearly 80% of waste in national parks is plastic, much of it breaking down into harmful microplastics that endanger ecosystems, drinking water, and public health. To protect these iconic landscapes and ensure their preservation, we need corporate accountability to immediately phase out single-use plastic packaging and transition to a zero-waste, circular model to safeguard future generations,” said Alison Waliszewski, Director of Regional Policy & Program Development at The 5 Gyres Institute.
Volunteers participated in 259 TrashBlitz activations at 58 sites around the country, including National Park Service units and federal lands like Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Forests, and National Historic Landmarks. In total, 12,646 pieces of trash were inputted into the TrashBlitz app and analyzed. TrashBlitz volunteers also sampled data at Yosemite Facelift, an annual cleanup event in Yosemite National Park during which 1,337 volunteers collected 13,211 pounds of trash.
The data from Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz underscores an urgent need to address single-use plastic in national parks. In addition to passing legislation like the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, which would ban several of the top items found, parks can take steps like increasing access to refill stations, implementing reusable food ware for on-site dining, and expanding waste audits. Park visitors can also play a role in minimizing waste by bringing reusables, packing out all waste, and preparing items thoughtfully by removing things like fruit stickers and bread tags.
“Our Parks are national treasures. It is our responsibility to protect them from the impacts of millions of visitors every year – including plastic waste. This year’s report highlights the staggering volume of waste found in our Parks and underscores the urgency of this mission. Over the years, I’ve fought to reinstate a ban on single-use plastics in these sacred spaces. With Trump’s return to the White House, this fight is far from over. I will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard National Parks, ensuring they remain pristine for future generations of Americans to enjoy,” said U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-5).
The full report from Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz can be found at 5gyres.org/PlasticFreeParks.
About The 5 Gyres Institute
The 5 Gyres Institute (5 Gyres) is a leader in the global movement against plastic pollution with 15 years of expertise in scientific research, engagement, and education. With the original goal of answering a few key scientific questions about ocean plastics, co-founders Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins led 19 research expeditions in all five subtropical gyres, as well as many of the world’s lakes and rivers. 5 Gyres continues to lead with scientific research to drive upstream solutions through education, advocacy, and community building. Learn more at 5gyres.org and @5gyres.
About TrashBlitz
TrashBlitz is a data collection platform and community-focused research project created by The 5 Gyres Institute. The community-based project is designed to engage local stakeholders in measuring plastic pollution and other trash across various cities – from shorelines to riverbeds to urban neighbourhoods – and utilizing data to generate relevant action plans. TrashBlitz provides robust research protocols, a web-based platform that identifies problem products and brands, and a network to bring diverse stakeholders together to co-create solutions to stop plastic pollution at the source.