NOS - Marine Debris Monitoring & Assessment Project

NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide
This guide is a tool for categorizing marine debris items during NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring
and Assessment Project (MDMAP) surveys. Items are categorized and counted according to
material and then item type. The examples of debris types within each category are meant to
help ensure that items are categorized consistently across the project. Visit the
Monitoring Toolbox Photo Gallery for more examples.

DEBRIS CATEGORY ................................ PAGE
PLASTIC ................................................ 2
METAL ................................................... 9
GLASS ................................................... 10
RUBBER ................................................. 12
PROCESSED WOOD............................... 14
FABRIC .................................................. 15
CUSTOM ................................................ 18
OTHER ................................................... 18
Photo: NOAA

How to record debris fragments
and unrecognizable items
Items that are broken pieces from an unidentifiable,
larger item are considered fragments, and should be
counted according to their material type.
Items that can be identified (even if they are not whole)
should be counted according to predominant material
and item type. If the item does not fit into a category, it
should be counted as Other according to predominant
material type (e.g., Plastic - Other). If neither the material
or item type fit these categories, it should be counted as
Other.
An item that is unidentifiable to you but is complete
enough to be identified by someone, should be counted as
Other according to material type (e.g., Fabric - Other). If the
material is also unidentifiable or not listed as a category it
should be counted as Other.

Example

Count as

A broken piece of a
frisbee

Plastic –
Other

A broken piece of
polystyrene/foam that
can’t be recognized as
part of a specific item

Plastic –
Foam
fragments

A broken piece of a
plastic soda bottle

Plastic –
Beverage
bottles

A couch

Fabric –
Other

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 1

PLASTIC
Plastics are a diverse material type and make up the majority of marine debris documented on MDMAP
surveys. Interested in learning more about plastics? Check out our Plastic Marine Debris Fact Sheet.

Film fragments
Plastic film fragments are broken pieces of a larger plastic film item that cannot be identified and are
greater than 2.5 centimeters long. They are made of thin plastic sheets called films that are flimsy and
bend easily. See more examples.

Foam fragments
Plastic foam fragments are broken pieces of a larger plastic foam item that cannot be identified and are
greater than 2.5 centimeters long. Plastic foam has air pockets and some kinds easily crumble apart. See
more examples.

Hard fragments
Plastic hard fragments are broken pieces of a larger hard plastic item that cannot be identified and are
greater than 2.5 centimeters long. They have a hard, rigid structure and weathering may cause hard
plastics to become brittle. See more examples.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 2

PLASTIC
Bags
Plastic bags are made of thin flexible plastic and may or may not have handles. Examples include
grocery, garbage, pet waste, frozen food, bulk ice, and fresh produce bags. Thicker plastic bags designed
for reuse, such as totes, should be counted under Plastic - Other. See more examples.

Beverage bottles
Plastic beverage bottles are any plastic container designed to hold a beverage. Examples include juice
boxes, milk jugs, and containers for soft drinks, water, sports drinks, and beer. Thicker plastic bottles
designed for reuse should be counted under Plastic - Other. See more examples.

Bottle or container caps
Plastic bottle and container caps come in various sizes and colors. If a cap is found still connected to a
bottle or container, it should NOT be counted separately. See more examples.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 3

PLASTIC
Cups (including polystyrene/foam)
Plastic cups can be made of hard or foamed plastic. Most paper cups are coated with a plastic film and
should also be counted in this category.

Food wrappers
Plastic food wrappers are usually films that encase single servings of food and come in a variety of
shapes and sizes. Examples include wrappers for snack bars, candy, and frozen burritos, as well as shrink
wrap. See more examples.

Other jugs and containers
Other plastic jugs and containers are a large category that encompasses a variety of packaging.
Examples include food containers (e.g., yogurt and takeout containers), gas cans, motor oil bottles,
cleaning product bottles, buckets, bait containers, baskets, and barrels. See more examples.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 4

PLASTIC
Straws
Plastic straws come in various sizes and shapes, such as those used in cocktail drinks, coffee, bubble tea,
and soft drinks.

Utensils
Plastic utensils include disposable knives, forks, spoons, and sporks.

Six-pack rings
Six-pack rings are composed of a strong, semi-flexible plastic material. They are used in beverage can
packaging.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 5

PLASTIC
Cigar tips
Cigar tips are hard plastic holders that come on some cigar brands and are typically beige in color. See
more examples.

Cigarettes
Cigarettes and cigarette filters can be hard or fibrous. Cigarette butts that are less than 2.5 centimeters
long should not be counted. See more examples.

Disposable lighters
Disposable cigarette lighters come in a variety of colors and have a casing made of a rigid plastic
(usually with a metal top). They may or may not contain fluid.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 6

PLASTIC
Buoys and floats
Buoys and floats are generally associated with fishing and boating activities (recreational or
commercial) and may be made of foam or rigid plastic. Buoys come in various sizes, shapes, and colors.
See more examples.

Lures and line
Fishing lures come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials depending on their function. Modern
types are made of plastic with metal hooks and openings for lines. Fishing line with lures attached
to line should be counted as one item. Fishing line types include monofilament, braided, and
fluorocarbon. See more examples.

Rope and nets
Plastic rope and net pieces are composed of synthetic material rather than natural fibers. Monofilament
fishing line is NOT included, and should be counted as Lures and line. See more examples.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 7

PLASTIC
Balloons (mylar)
Mylar balloons have a seam and come in a variety of shapes. They usually have a shiny, reflective surface
and are decorated with pictures and words. See more examples.

Personal care products
Personal care products are a broad category that encompasses health and beauty products. Examples
include deodorants, sunscreen bottles, combs and brushes, toothbrushes, chapstick tubes, earplugs,
diapers, and tampon applicators. See more examples.

Shotgun shells and wads
This category encompasses two components of shotgun ammunition packaging. A shotgun wad (left
and middle) is a plastic piece inside a shotgun shell (right) that separates the shot from the powder. The
shell is the larger tube-shaped casing. Both are released when a shotgun is fired, and the wad can be
ejected up to 30 meters from the barrel of the gun.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 8

PLASTIC
Other plastic
Other plastic items are larger than 2.5 centimeters and do not fit into one of the plastic categories
above. They may or may not be identifiable. See more examples.

METAL
Metal fragments
Metal fragments are broken pieces of a larger metal item that cannot be identified and are greater than
2.5 centimeters long. Certain metal materials that have been exposed to the environment may rust. See
more examples.

Aerosol cans
Aerosol cans have an outer shell of metal (aluminum or steel) and compressed contents. The spray valve
will be made of plastic and the cap is also usually plastic. The spray valve and cap may not be attached
to the canister.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 9

METAL
Aluminum/tin cans
Aluminum and tin cans are used for beverages (e.g., sodas, juice, beer) and food. Exposure to the
environment will cause these containers to deteriorate. Aluminum cans become brittle over time and
collapse. Tin cans rust when exposed to the environment.

Other metal
Other metal items do not fit into one of the metal categories above. They may or may not be
identifiable. Describe these items in the notes section of the Transect Survey Form. See more examples.

GLASS
Glass fragments
Glass fragments are broken pieces of larger glass items that cannot be identified and are greater than
2.5 centimeters long. If glass fragments have been in the environment for long periods of time, they
may become weathered and appear with smooth edges and a frosty appearance (e.g., sea glass).

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 10

GLASS
Beverage bottles
Glass beverage bottles are used for sodas, water, liquor, beer, and wine and come in assorted colors
(clear, green, brown, blue, and other colors). Most glass beverage bottles have metal caps. If a bottle cap
is attached, the cap should not be counted as a separate item. See more examples.

Jars
Glass jars are containers that come in many shapes. They may be tall and thin or short and squat,
and may have a wide or narrow opening. Glass jars include non-beverage containers used for food,
condiments, and cosmetics. The lids are usually metal. If a jar has a lid attached, the lid should not be
counted as a separate item. See more examples.

Other glass
Other glass items do not fit into one of the glass categories above. Describe these items in the notes
section of the Transect Survey Form.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 11

RUBBER
Rubber fragments
Rubber fragments are broken pieces of a larger rubber item that cannot be identified and are greater
than 2.5 centimeters long. As a material, rubber may be natural or synthetic. Rubber fragments may not
feel ‘rubbery’ due to their degradation when exposed to the environment but are distinguishable from
film, foam, and hard plastic fragments by being both dense and soft.

Balloons (latex)
Latex balloons are the traditional party balloons. These balloons are made of natural or synthetic latex,
may have a ribbon attached, and come in a variety of colors.

Flip flops
Flip flops or “slippers” are primarily composed of a rubber sole. Other shoes that have a primarily rubber
exterior, such as rubber fishing boots, should be counted as Rubber – Other. Shoes that are primarily
fabric should be counted as Fabric – Clothing and shoes.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 12

RUBBER
Gloves (rubber and latex)
Rubber and latex gloves include disposable medical gloves, as well as thicker fishing and dishwashing
gloves. They may be made of natural rubber latex, or synthetic rubber, such as nitrile, neoprene, or
polyvinyl alcohol.

Tires
Tires can come in a range of sizes depending on whether they come from trucks, trailers, and cars or
from smaller items, such as bikes and lawn mowers. Tires may have the wheel rim, hub cap, and/or lug
nuts attached. See more examples.

Other rubber
Other rubber items do not fit into one of the rubber categories above. Describe the ‘other’ items in the
notes section of the Transect Survey Form.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 13

PROCESSED WOOD
Cardboard cartons
Cardboard cartons are cardboard containers. Examples include cereal boxes and moving boxes. They
are distinguished from paper and cardboard by their carton/container shape, although they may be
flattened. Cartons with plastic coatings should be counted as Plastic – Beverage bottles or Plastic –
Other jugs and containers.

Lumber and building
Dimensional and treated lumber should be counted as lumber and building material. Non-lumber
building materials could be plastic or metal and should be counted according to their majority material
type. Natural woody debris and burnt firewood are not considered marine debris. See more examples.

Paper and cardboard
Paper and cardboard include a variety of items not covered by the other processed wood categories.
Examples of paper products include newspapers, magazines, paper towels, and books. Examples of
cardboard products to count here include toilet and paper towel rolls, egg cartons, hardback book
covers, and firework components. See more examples.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 14

PROCESSED WOOD
Paper bags
Paper bags include items such as fast food bags, grocery bags, and beer/wine bags. As bags absorb
moisture, the paper will fall apart.

Other processed wood
Other processed wood items do not fit into one of the processed lumber categories above. Describe
these items in the notes section of the Transect Survey Form. See more examples.

FABRIC
Fabric fragments
Fabric fragments are broken pieces of a larger fabric item that cannot be identified and are greater than
2.5 centimeters long.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 15

FABRIC
Clothing and shoes
Clothing items include shorts, tops, underwear, socks, etc. Shoes counted here should be primarily
composed of cloth/fabric on the exterior. See more examples.

Face masks
Masks made of natural or synthetic cloth that are meant to cover the nose and mouth for prevention of
contagious disease. This category also includes surgical and dust masks.

Gloves (non-rubber)
Gloves made of fabrics, including leather, are used for gardening, construction, and other manual labor,
or to protect hands from cold weather.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 16

FABRIC
Rope and nets (natural fiber)
Rope and net pieces that are made of natural fibers can be identified by a ‘softer’ feel in most cases. This
includes large (very thick) natural ropes used as mooring lines for ships when in port.

Towels and rags
Fabric towels and rags left behind by beach-goers or used on boats for equipment and maintenance
(cleaning) activities.

Other fabric
Other fabric items do not fit into one of the cloth/fabric categories above. Describe these items in the
notes section of the Transect Survey Form.

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 17

CUSTOM
Custom items
In some cases, partners and participants may wish to track a specific marine debris item(s) in their area
that is not applicable at all MDMAP locations. Custom items are subcategories of the standard material
and item types listed in this guide, such as Plastic - Rope and nets (left), Plastic - Other (middle), and
Processed Wood - Paper and cardboard (right). For more information, review the MDMAP Shoreline
Survey Guide or contact [email protected].
Yellow rope snippets

Hagfish/conger eel trap cones

Fireworks

OTHER
Other items
If the primary material type could not be identified or is not listed above, count the item as Other.
Examples below (left to right) include a leather belt, a piece of conglomerate asphalt, and a plaster
component of a firework.

ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide was first published in 2011 after consultation with marine
debris monitoring experts and was designed to be comparable to international efforts, broadly indicative
of item sources and uses, and succinct enough to be applied consistently.
A review and update in 2021 was aided by the Trash Taxonomy Tool.
For further information about MDMAP, please visit the Monitoring Toolbox or contact us by email at
[email protected].
Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 18

Photo Credits
Photos for this guide came from a variety of volunteers and partner organizations. Photo credits are listed below and
organized by page and item type. Credits are numbered from left (1), middle (2), and right (3).
Page 2

Page 5

Page 8

Plastic - Film fragments
1. NOAA
2. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
3. NOAA
Plastic - Foam fragments
1. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
2. Katmai National Park
3. Katmai National Park
Plastic - Hard fragments
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
3. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary

Plastic - Straws
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA
Plastic - Utensils
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. Earth Team
Plastic - Six-pack rings
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. Paul Pagano
3. Brian Yurasits/Unsplash

Plastic - Balloons (mylar)
1. Russ Lewis, GrassRoots Garbage
Gang
2. NOAA
3. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
Plastic - Personal care products
1. Junichi Sugishita
2. California Coastal National
Monument Task Force
3. Hawppon
Plastic - Shotgun shells and wads
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA

Page 3
Plastic - Bags
1. NOAA
2. Ocean Conservancy
3. NOAA
Plastic - Beverage bottles
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. NOAA
3. Junichi Sugishita
Plastic - Bottle or container caps
1. NOAA
2. Katmai National Park
3. Katmai National Park
Page 4
Plastic - Cups (including polystyrene/
foam)
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. Brian Yurasits/Unsplash
Plastic - Food wrappers
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
Plastic - Other jugs and containers
1. Ocean Conservancy
2. Katmai National Park
3. NOAA

Page 6

Page 9

Plastic - Cigar tips
1. NOAA
2. Ocean Conservancy
3. NOAA
Plastic - Cigarettes
1. NOAA
2. Hawppon
3. NOAA
Plastic - Disposable lighters
1. NOAA
2. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
3. NOAA
Page 7
Plastic - Buoys and floats
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
3. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
Plastic - Lures and lines
1. Junichi Sugishita
2. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
3. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
Plastic - Rope and nets
1. Katmai National Park
2. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
3. NOAA

Plastic - Other plastic
1. NOAA
2. Surfrider Foundation Siuslaw
Chapter
3. NOAA
Metal - Metal fragments
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
3. NOAA
Metal - Aerosol cans
1. Junichi Sugishita
2. NOAA
3. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
Page 10
Metal - Aluminum/tin cans
1. NOAA
2. Ocean Conservancy
3. NOAA
Metal - Other metal
1. NOAA
2. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
3. Hawaiian Islands Humpback
Whale National Marine
Sanctuary
Glass - Glass fragments
1. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
2. Ocean Conservancy
3. NOAA

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 19

Photo Credits
Photos for this guide came from a variety of volunteers and partner organizations. Photo credits are listed below and
organized by page and item type. Credits are numbered from left (1), middle (2), and right (3).
Page 11

Page 14

Page 17

Glass - Beverage bottles
1. NOAA
2. Junichi Sugishita
3. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
Glass - Jars
1. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
2. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
3. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
Glass - Other glass
4. Russ Lewis, GrassRoots Garbage
Gang
5. NOAA
6. Russ Lewis, GrassRoots Garbage
Gang

Processed Wood - Cardboard cartons
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA
Processed Wood - Lumber and
building
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
3. California Coastal National
Monument Task Force
Processed Wood - Paper and
cardboard
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA

Fabric - Rope and nets (natural fiber)
1. NOAA
2. Katmai National Park
3. Redfish Rocks
Fabric - Towels and rags
1. NOAA
2. Kristen Cotiaux
3. NOAA
Fabric - Other fabric
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA

Page 12
Rubber - Rubber fragments
1. Seba Sheavly, Sheavly
Consultants, Inc.
2. Kristen Cotiaux
3. Kristen Cotiaux
Rubber - Balloons (latex)
1. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
2. NOAA
3. Paul Pagano
Rubber - Flip flops
1. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
2. Blue Fox Bay Lodge
3. Padre Island National Seashore
Page 13
Rubber - Gloves (rubber and latex)
1. NOAA
2. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
3. NOAA
Rubber - Tires
1. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
2. NOAA
3. Redfish Rocks
Rubber - Other rubber
1. Ocean Conservancy
2. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
3. NOAA

Page 15
Processed Wood - Paper bags
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA
Processed Wood - Other processed
wood
1. Pulama Lana’i
2. NOAA
3. Greater Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary
Fabric - Fabric fragments
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA

Page 18
Custom
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary
Other
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA

Page 16
Fabric - Clothing and shoes
1. California Coastal National
Monument Task Force
2. Junichi Sugishita
3. NOAA
Fabric - Face masks
1. NOAA
2. NOAA
3. NOAA
Fabric - Gloves (non-rubber)
1. Ocean Conservancy
2. NOAA
3. NOAA

Marine Debris Item Categorization Guide | 20