Yellowstone National Park staff have removed a record 20,100 pieces of trash from hydrothermal areas during the 2026 season, according to reporting by the Guardian.
The finds include everyday items such as hats, camera lens caps, hair ties, pencils, sunglasses, hotel key cards and baby pacifiers.
Thousands of items removed
The Yellowstone National Park Geology team has recorded 280 hats, 54 camera lens caps, 47 hair ties, 42 pencils, 36 pairs of sunglasses, 20 hotel key cards and 17 baby pacifiers among the items collected.
Staff also retrieved six Invisalign retainers, eight mini race cars, three golf tees and 15 fake nails during the 2026 season.
Wind adds to the problem
Margery Price, a physical science technician with the Yellowstone National Park Geology Program, said strong winds can carry loose items into hydrothermal areas.
The US Geological Survey blog post cited by the Guardian said unexpected gusts can blow away tissues, maps, food wrappers and heavier objects such as sunglasses and hats.
Visitors also leave coins in the hot springs. The geology team collected more than US$18 in coins during summer 2026, including dollars, pesos, yen and euros.
Why the rubbish matters
Park staff say foreign material can damage or permanently alter hydrothermal features by clogging water supplies, blocking or diverting runoff channels, or introducing chemicals and sediment.
The Guardian reported that Yellowstone’s Morning Glory Pool changed colour in the 1900s after visitors left rubbish in the pool. By the 1950s, it had reportedly been nicknamed the “trash can”.
Visitors urged to secure loose items
Yellowstone staff recognise that some rubbish is accidentally blown away, but they are encouraging visitors to “stash your trash” in windy areas.
The advice includes securing wrappers, tissues, maps and hats while visiting the park. Staff also plan to wash and donate the hats collected at the end of the season.
Source: The Guardian
Leave a Reply