Piles of litter collected during surveys in the 1980s show the types of garbage - mostly plastics - that typically wash ashore on Sable Island. Common litter items include cigar holders, plastic cutlery, disposable lighters and pens, plastic containers for food, motor oil, cleansers, and industrial chemicals, polyethylene bags and sheet, plastic toys, liquor and soft drink bottles, light bulbs, rags of synthetic fabric, rope, aerosol cans, and fishing equipment.