After 11,500 pounds of garbage was collected from the Alaskan island of Gaskuu, as known as Forrester Island, researchers are curious about what we can learn from the trash.

Kit Cunningham, a technician with the state Department of Fish and Game’s marine mammal program, is studying what kinds of growth is on the debris. Different signifiers such as algae or barnacles can give those studying the trash insight into where it came from and how long it has been in the water.

After examination, the waste was sent to Seattle for recycling.

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