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.

I haven’t picked up a plastic bag in weeks now*, and I’m looking for a new eco-challenge. I think a wholesale elimination of ALL plastic from my life could be a worthwhile next step towards the continuing greenification of my life.** Why plastic? Yes, it CAN be great (plastic medical devices save lives and plastic helps reduce the weight of cars so they’re more fuel-efficient), but mostly, it’s evil.

Along with the stand-bys (reusable bags, bringing your own silverware for lunch), Starre has some wildly simple-yet-innovative ideas for eliminating everyday waste from your life:

Instead of plastic wrap try: A dish! (My father who lives in Australia actually taught me this one-thanks Dad!) Instead of putting plastic over a plate of leftovers, just use another dish of the same size or smaller. Want to be able to see what’s under there? Use a clear glass plate. For bowls, use teacup saucers (you can find these a goodwill for pennies. Food will stay moist and protected sans plastic, and the plates are reusable forever.

I can not believe I hadn’t thought of that before; it’s genius. To see the rest of the ingenious list, check out the page. You just might make some changes of your own.

• Seven artists give a new meaning to the word “recycling.” [WebUrbanist]
• Toronto wants you to design their reusable bags! [I Want - I Got]
• A harrowing personal account from the frontlines of the reusable bag war. [Cheesy Kitty]
• Get with the program, California! [Bamboo Geek]
• Reusable bags = Profit?!?! [The Happy Rock]
• The OC keeps on keepin’ on in the campaign against plastics. [OC Metblogs]
• Change may be in the bag in Lafayetteville. [Northwest AR News]
• Thoughts on grocery chains, farmers’ markets, and self-imposed double standards. [Tanker Tracks]
• Ann Arbor elementary school students say “yes!” to reusable bags. [Everything Michigan]
• Civil disobedience in the bag game brings unrest in Singapore. [The Electric]
• Mixed thoughts on plastic bag taxes in Hotlanta. [Atlanta Fifty Forward]
• Somebody loves their reusable bags. [Tree Hugging Family]