The marine debris that accumulates on the shores of Alaska is more than just an eyesore. Oil drums, cigarettes, medical waste and plastics leach out chemicals.

“It affects the environment by injuring and killing wildlife, human health by contaminating the food we consume, and the economy by entangling boat props or damaging tourist destinations,” said Sharon Kim, the chief of resources at Kenai Fjords National Park.

“Marine debris is like the problem of invasive species,” said Benjamin Pister, director of the National Park Service’s Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center. “It only gets more expensive and more difficult to address as time goes by.”