Assessing strategies for remote island beach cleanups: Lessons from the Pacific and Alaska

Plastic pollution is a pervasive environmental challenge, with significant ecological, economic, and social implications. While upstream solutions are essential, downstream cleanup efforts play a role in addressing existing and legacy pollution. This study assesses strategies for remote island beach cleanups through two case studies: Henderson Island in the South Pacific and Kruzof Island in Southeast Alaska. These regions, characterized by their isolation and heavy plastic pollution, highlight unique logistical, ecological, and social challenges in cleanup operations. Drawing on firsthand observations, this research identifies key strategies for effective cleanups in remote locations. The findings emphasize the importance of careful planning, local engagement and innovative technologies to balance the benefits of cleanup with the potential costs. The study describes cases using a six-step cleanup framework and evaluates cleanup strategies based on feasibility, cost-effectiveness, potential harms, and co-benefits. This research contributes to literature on innovative approaches to marine debris management.