Marine scientists at the University of Washington have found patterns in how trash accumulates on beaches in Oregon and Washington, and differences in the kind of trash that’s washing up, depending on its location. The scientists made their findings based on more than 800 beach surveys conducted from 2017 to 2021. The work was conducted by volunteers at the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, a citizen science program based at the University of Washington. The surveys revealed the existence of “sticky zones,” areas on a beach where both trash and natural debris such as seaweed tends to accumulate. Seasonal differences were also observed, with the highest amount of debris occurring in the spring and the lowest recorded during the fall. And while almost all of the trash that washed up on outer coastal beaches was made of plastic, about half the trash found on inland beaches was made of heavier materials like glass and metal. Jackie Lindsey is the science coordinator at the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team. She joins us to talk about the findings and the impact they could have on coastal cleanup efforts.