Yellowstone National Park Reports Record Trash Haul

Yellowstone National Park has recorded its largest-ever collection of trash from its hydrothermal areas, with park staff removing more than 20,100 pieces of garbage as of early September. The haul also includes 5,600 rocks and sticks, and 280 hats.

The Yellowstone Volcanic Observatory’s USGS page reported these figures, marking a significant increase and a record for the park. Among the discarded items are personal electronics like AirPods and Invisalign retainers, children's toys, clothing accessories, and even foreign currency totaling over $18.

Margery Price, a physical science technician with the Park Geology Program, noted that high winds exacerbate the issue, easily blowing lighter items like tissues, maps, and food wrappers, as well as heavier items such as sunglasses and hats, into sensitive areas.

Unusual items recovered include five AirPods, six Invisalign retainers, 15 fake fingernails, three golf tees, an inhaler, an Uno card, a glob of glittery pink children’s slime, eight mini race cars, three bouncy balls, 22 action figures, six Junior Ranger badges, two rubber ducks, a tie-dye fidget spinner, a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy from 2010, 54 camera-lens caps, 47 hair ties, 42 pencils, 36 pairs of sunglasses, 20 hotel key cards, and 17 pacifiers.

Price also added, "And contrary (apparently) to popular belief, hot springs are not wishing wells." The collected coins include pesos, yen, euros, and Canadian dollars.

Beyond the sheer volume of trash, the presence of foreign objects in Yellowstone’s thermal features poses a significant risk. Such items can clog vents, alter water runoff patterns, and damage the delicate microbial communities that thrive in these unique environments. The historical example of Morning Glory Pool, which saw its colors change partly due to trash being thrown into it during the 20th century, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences.