For municipalities in the coastal region the West Coast, debris from the tsunami of 2011 is just starting to reach the shoreline. This is posing a significant waste management issue at a time when the influx of summer vacationers and tourists present increased challenges for garbage removal and environmental safety. Government leaders from the West Coast and Hawaii say that this influx of waste from Japan will continue to arrive on shorelines for the next decade.

Due to the high volume of waste and cost associated with waste removal and recycling, officials are determining the best course of action. Creative solutions are clearly needed as the cleanup budget associated with this increase in coastal garbage will need to rise in order to keep beaches and harbors from being polluted.

While not all the 8 millions tons debris that entered the waters off of Japan during the tsunami will reach the coast of United States, even a fraction will cause environmental concerns and public safety hazards.

While very large pieces of debris, like the fishing dock that recently washed up on the shore in Oregon, should be logged with the Japanese embassy, smaller debris like styrofoam, plastic, and fishing nets, will need to be handled locally.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Natural disasters are never a welcome event but it pays to think ahead be aware of the outcomes. Preserving our coastlines is important for both recreation and commerce!