Hats, pencils and baby pacifiers: Yellowstone staffers retrieve record amount of trash from hot springs
The park is the most highly visited and strong winds make trash problem worse, with gusts blowing away items
TL;DR
- Yellowstone National Park staffers removed a record 20,100 pieces of trash from hydrothermal areas this year.
- Commonly found items include hats, camera lens caps, hair ties, pencils, sunglasses, hotel key cards, and baby pacifiers.
- High winds contribute to the problem by easily blowing away various items.
- Park visitors also treat hot springs like wishing wells, with over $18 in various currencies collected.
- Foreign material can damage or permanently alter hydrothermal features.
- The park's Morning Glory Pool famously changed color due to trash in the past.
- Staffers retrieved items like Invisalign retainers, mini race cars, golf tees, and fake nails this year.
- Visitors are encouraged to 'stash your trash' and pack items carefully in windy areas.
- Hats left behind will be washed and donated at the end of the season.