Spring break trips shown to harm beach environments

Madison Rexroat
March 27, 2017

Nearly 40 percent of college students go on trips during spring break and spend more than $1 billion collectively, according to a study by Project Know. Unsurprisingly, the most popular destinations are Florida beaches, where college students go to party, drink, and enjoy their time off.

Also unsurprisingly, the most popular destinations for college students on spring break almost always see an increase in trash left behind. 

Several beach cities have begun to implement campaigns to discourage littering and leaving trash behind. Gulf Shores placed trash cans every 200 feet on the beach and created a litter ordinance last year that fines up to $500 for littering. Others, like Miami Beach, started the hashtag #KeepMBClean to promote consideration of the environment and the locals that live there.

To read the full story in USA Today College, click here.