Home / Environment / Record Debris Pulled from Yellowstone's Hot Springs
Record Debris Pulled from Yellowstone's Hot Springs
19 Sep
Summary
- Yellowstone's geology team removed over 20,100 pieces of trash.
- Debris removed includes over 5,600 rocks and sticks, and 280 hats.
- Trash removal efforts surged by 50% compared to the previous year.
Yellowstone National Park's geology team has collected a record quantity of debris from the park's delicate hydrothermal features during 2026. By early September, crews had retrieved more than 20,100 pieces of paper and plastic, alongside 5,600 rocks and sticks, and over 280 hats from popular sites like the Old Faithful geyser.
This surge in collected litter is approximately a 50 percent increase from the prior year, coinciding with a high volume of tourism. From January to July 2026, the park welcomed over 2.64 million visitors, nearing its busiest year on record. Park staff observe that increased foot traffic in geyser basins, particularly along narrow boardwalks, contributes to greater litter generation.
The recovered items range from common objects like camera lens caps and sunglasses to more unusual finds such as Invisalign retainers, fake nails, and even AirPods. Foreign materials pose a significant threat to these hydrothermal areas, risking damage by clogging water supplies or polluting the features. The cautionary tale of Morning Glory Pool, which changed color due to visitor-introduced trash, highlights the potential for permanent alteration.
