Hey Barbie! We found your missing boot (and other items)

A group OLG volunteers made a few interesting discoveries while taking part in the annual Oceanwise Shoreline Cleanup along the St. Marys River last week.

Volunteers worked in small groups covering a 10-km stretch of shoreline that included the Bondar Pavilion, the Sault Canal area, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and Whitefish Island. They collected and disposed of more than 10,000 items.

Some items of note include a Barbie boot, a slinky, hockey cards, lottery tickets, golf balls, an OLG bag, a frying pan, fireworks and undergarments.

Not surprising, the items collected the most were cigarette butts. Other frequently collected items include food wrappers, plastic packaging, plastic bottles, and clothing.

The following is a breakdown of some of the items collected:

• Cigarette butts = 7,184
• Beverage cans = 148
• Bottle caps = 59
• Coffee cups and lids = 163
• Food containers = 187
• Food Wrappers = 236
• Glass bottles = 27
• Paper = 202
• Plastic Bags = 82
• Plastic bottles = 201
• Plastic cups = 48
• Six pack holders = 2
• Straws = 219
• Takeout Containers = 61
• Utensils = 42
• Fishing buoys, pots or traps = 2
• Fishing net or line = 7
• Rope = 32
• Soft plastic packaging = 219
• Rigid bottles and jugs = 30
• Diapers, wipes, tampons, condoms = 14
• Syringes = 80 
• PPE = 19
• Styrofoam pieces = 147
• Plastic pieces = 47
• Balloons = 12
• Clothing and shoes = 134
• Construction material = 19
• Toys = 7
• Misc. = 382