Plastic Wads On The Beach: Where Are The Plastic Wads Coming From, And How Can We Prevent Their Escape Into The Environment?

Plastic wads are commonly found during beach clean-ups in the U.S., and in some areas, they are listed as one of the top plastic items collected. The wads typically look like a cylinder with one end split into several arms that are spread apart. In this lesson, students will determine where this particular marine debris item is coming from, and the processes which contribute to the material becoming marine debris. Students will propose solutions to interrupt the escape of the plastic wads into the environment. Grant no. NA22OAR4170102