Plastic
Water bottles, toys, grocery bags, food wrappers, and cigarette butts.
Marine debris
Bring every beach item home
Marine debris includes human-made items that end up along the coast. Track your belongings and take every item away.
Sources checked August 21, 2026: SCDES marine debris guide (opens in a new tab) and NOAA guide for helping at the shore (opens in a new tab) .
How debris reaches the coast
- Storm drains and waterways carry litter from inland roadsides and parking lots to the coast.
- Improper trash handling, littering, and storms also add debris.
- Near the shore, discarded fishing gear and abandoned boats add to the problem.
Common debris
Microplastics
Plastic pieces smaller than 5 millimeters, including fragments, microfibers, and microbeads.
Fishing gear
Lost, abandoned, or discarded nets, lines, crab pots, and other equipment.
Other debris
Abandoned vessels, glass bottles, metal cans, clothing, construction materials, balloons, and fireworks.
Why debris causes harm
- Marine animals can eat debris or become entangled in it.
- Lost fishing gear can continue to catch and injure wildlife.
- Glass or metal debris can be dangerous for beachgoers.
- Debris can disrupt recreation for visitors and create navigation hazards.
What to do during a beach visit
- Keep track of your belongings while you are on the beach.
- Choose reusable bags and water bottles, and limit single-use items.
- Do not add trash to an overflowing bin.
- Take every toy, piece of garbage, and recyclable item away when you leave.
Source: SCDES marine debris guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: NOAA guide for helping at the shore (opens in a new tab)
Marine debris questions
- What is marine debris?
- Marine debris includes human-made items that end up along the coast.
- Source: SCDES marine debris guide (opens in a new tab)
- What are common marine debris items?
- Plastic: Water bottles, toys, grocery bags, food wrappers, and cigarette butts. Microplastics: Plastic pieces smaller than 5 millimeters, including fragments, microfibers, and microbeads. Fishing gear: Lost, abandoned, or discarded nets, lines, crab pots, and other equipment. Other debris: Abandoned vessels, glass bottles, metal cans, clothing, construction materials, balloons, and fireworks.
- Source: SCDES marine debris guide (opens in a new tab)
- How does marine debris harm wildlife?
- Marine animals can eat debris or become entangled in it. Lost fishing gear can continue to catch and injure wildlife.
- Source: SCDES marine debris guide (opens in a new tab)
- What can visitors do to keep the beach clean?
- Keep track of your belongings while you are on the beach. Choose reusable bags and water bottles, and limit single-use items. Do not add trash to an overflowing bin. Take every toy, piece of garbage, and recyclable item away when you leave.
- Source: NOAA guide for helping at the shore (opens in a new tab)