Yellowstone National Park Experiences Record-Setting Year for Tourist Trash in Hydrothermal Areas
Yellowstone National Park's Geology Team has reported a record-setting year for the removal of tourist trash from its hydrothermal areas. As of early September, over 20,100 pieces of trash, 5,600 rocks and sticks, and 280 hats were collected. This extensive haul includes unusual items such as five AirPods, six Invisalign retainers, 15 fake fingernails, three golf tees, an inhaler, an Uno card, and a glob of glittery pink children's slime. The park, which spans 2.2 million acres and receives 4.5 million annual visitors, faces challenges from high winds that easily blow away lighter items like tissues, maps, and food wrappers, as well as heavier objects like sunglasses and hats. The collection also included numerous children's toys, camera-lens caps, hair ties, pencils, sunglasses, hotel key cards, and pacifiers. Additionally, over $18 in various international coins and bills were recovered, indicating a misconception among visitors that hot springs are wishing wells.
