FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Young and old alike from all walks of life turned out in T-shirts and shorts, some in boats, some on foot, but all had one goal in mind — getting the trash out of the splash. When the 21st annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup wrapped up at noon on Saturday, an estimated 60,000 pounds of trash had been collected by around 5,000 volunteers from waterways and shorelines across Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia counties.

That means more than 1 million pounds have been collected here since the effort began in 1987, and well over 50,000 area residents have taken part.

Data cards are still being collected, but Amy King, natural resources planner for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Lands Division-Coastal Section, said cigarette butts and automotive castoffs are certain to float to the top of the list.

“It’s not surprising to find tires, but it was surprising to find so many tires,” she said. King noted many might have been washed by storm surge from other areas, while some could have been buried in the mud and scoured free.

Other types of car parts were found as well and brought to 27 collection sites, along with toilet seats, small appliances and other debris likely related to hurricanes. Also found were the typical aluminum cans, glass bottles, food wrappers and plastic cups.

King said trash discarded improperly contributes to habitat destruction, and harms marine species. Even litter thrown out a car window can end up in area waterways because it’s carried there by rainwater.

More awareness of the problem is needed. She said, “It’s a really hard message to drive home. It’s never just one cigarette filter or Styrofoam cup. That’s why we have Coastal Cleanup because it’s never just one.”

One type of debris is particularly destructive because fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, birds and other wildlife can become entangled in it, and King wants everyone to know.

Discarded monofilament takes over 600 years before it will begin to biodegrade in nature, according to information provided by the state. It can also foul boat propellers causing hundreds of dollars of damage to motors, and can trap SCUBA divers and swimmers.

Literally miles and miles of fishing line are discarded in area waterways each year, by accident and on purpose, and a push to collect it for recycling is under way. The Alabama Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Initiative was established to help raise awareness while at the same time offer a solution.

White PVC pipes are in place and labeled at fishing holes along the coast. They may be used to deposit used and broken fishing line. Tackle shops will soon have cardboard bins set up inside their businesses, where line and empty spools can be dropped off for recycling.

An indoor bin is already located at the Alabama Marine Resources office in Gulf Shores. Recycling tubes can be found at Boggy Point Ramp, Cotton Bayou Ramp, Fort Morgan Ramp, Canal Park Ramp, Weeks Bay, Big Bob’s, Scott’s Landing, Alabama Point, Lake Shelby and Sportsman’s Marina.

Partners in the initiative are Southeastern Wildlife Conservation Group, Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center, Alabama State Lands Division-Coastal Section, Alabama Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the monofilament program, call coordinator Kelly Brinkman at (251) 621-1216, or e-mail her at kelly.brinkman@dcnr.alabama.gov.