Dianna Smiley, SOLV’s Executive Director, said, “Once again, our citizens have demonstrated their pride in this great state by turning out to preserve and enhance Oregon’s beaches. We extend our special thanks to our partners, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and the local garbage haulers all along the coast who help make this event possible.”

Volunteers unearthed some unusual finds, both big and small, throughout the day.

Many interesting items turned up in the volunteers’ SOLV bags, including a pair of binoculars, a fishing permit from Alaska, an empty piggy bank, a mannequin foot, a work boot and a construction hard hat. Hard-working volunteers also pulled in some larger items, such as a TV, four boat refrigerators, a 300-pound chest freezer, 25 feet of cattle fencing, crab traps and a couple of large fishing nets

That said, some of the most prevalent pick-up items were also the most predictable: plastics were to be expected in this day and age, and they lived up to their reputation by being everywhere.

Beach Cleanup Coordinator Diana Bartlett said there was lots of plastic packing tape, among other strange and common day finds. “Pipes, flip flops, light bulbs, plastic bottles, a propane tank; a large fish sorting tub from a fishing boat, lawn chairs, tires and a rims, some scrap metal, and a plastic truck liner,” she said.

[...] Charlie Plybon, who oversaw the Newport area as well as served as the main coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation, said plastic was the big problem. That was something the Surfrider Foundation was trying to raise awareness about, partially by providing reusable bags to all the participants.

Also making a bid for most prevalent contaminant was the much-less-expected contender “sheet metal.” Strange though the day may have been, much was accomplished. Before the day was over, some 60,000 lbs of garbage were hauled away, leaving the coast of Oregon a much more pleasant and enjoyable place to be.

• The rest of San Diego County may soon be following in Encinitas’ footsteps. [Sign On San Diego]
• Meanwhile, Gonzaga is following in the footsteps of all universities going green. [Gonzaga Bulletin]
• Concluding the Telluride/Aspen Plastic Bag Reduction Challenge: Telluride 1, Aspen 0. [Telluride Watch]
• North Carolina communities are making a heartfelt effort at replacing plastic bags. [The Appalachian]
• …and in South Carolina, a plastic bag factory is closing its doors. [Triangle Business Journal]
• Recycling is fashionable, and sometimes it IS fashion. [Ventura County Star]
• Florida’s Emerald Coast is all, “Paper or plastic? No, thank you!” [Emerald Coast]
• Japan is going to start recycling Nylon products. Hey, why not? [Trading Markets]
• Eugene-based Market of Choice is ditching the plastic. [NWCN]
• Plastic bags, served twenty-eight ways. [Green Eco Services]

Image via Flickr!

• An eco-friendly party is the best party! (Also, not your grandma’s party.) [Crunchy Domestic Goddess]
• Hawaii is kicking the bag habit. [The Maui News]
• …and so is Portland. [The Oregonian]
• Seattle’s still pretty divided on the issue, though. [King 5]
• New Whole Foods bags: not so great, actually? [Note To Jon]
• Grumpy old men are never satisfied with recycling efforts. [Zip06]
• I AM a (reusable) plastic bag! [PRW]
• Today, a bottle; tomorrow, a… road? [MeriNews]
• Is this guy for real? Hilarious arguments against LIEberal zealots. [The Market Oracle]
• Project Runway’s found-item clothing challenges are always hilarious. Can kids make it work? [This is Wiltshire]
• And speaking of Proj-Run, the last episode was all about green fabrics! What a great show! [Ecorazzi]

Photo via Flickr!