Hundreds of volunteers cleared up around 12,000lbs of trash from the island’s coast as part of a Keep Bermuda Beautiful drive to protect the marine environment.

The EY Coastal Cleanup, which attracted a total of 680 volunteers — 200 more than in previous years — to 36 coastal locations as part of an international effort.

A KBB spokesman said: “Among the tons of litter and debris collected, the list included a shocking number of 25 balloons found at Shelly Bay, 1,002 glass beer bottles found at Astwood Park and dozens of octopus pot traps found along the South Shore at Grape Bay and Doe Bay.

“The most interesting item was found on Cooper’s Island and is believed to be part of a container spill from three years ago that caused thousands of HP cartridges to wash up on the UK coastline, so it is unusual that two would track to Bermuda around the currents forming the North Atlantic gyre.”

Other unusual items found were a six-seater golf cart, carpets and a large crate that had travelled from New Hampshire in the US.

The event in September was organised as part of the International Coastal Cleanup, created by US-based Ocean Conservancy and involved more than 100 countries.

Volunteers also logged recovered trash to help create a global map of the amount of waste in the world’s oceans.

Teams from companies and organisations took part in the Bermuda event, including professional services firm EY, Butterfield Bank, insurer Chubb, Southampton Princess Hotel, the US Consulate and wholesaler Butterfield & Vallis.

They were joined by school and college teams from Saltus Grammar School, Warwick Academy, BHS, Somersfield Academy, Sandys Middle School and Bermuda College.

Further support came from the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Bermuda Sub-Aqua Club divers, Dolphin Quest, the Association of Filipinos in Bermuda, the International Women’s Club, the Rotary Clubs of Hamilton and St George’s, the Sandys and Smiths Parish Councils, Xroads Warriors Football Club as well as families and residents in targeted areas.

David Brown, EY senior partner, said the company was thrilled to be the title sponsor of the Bermuda cleanup.

He added: “My wife Angie and I joined more than 40 other EY employees in cleaning up the Horseshoe Bay Beach area and we had a similar EY team working to clean up the Tobacco Bay area.

“It was a great day working with KBB and our EY team in helping to Keep Bermuda Beautiful and it was also a reminder that we all have a responsibility related to environmental sustainability.”

The KBB spokesman added: “Many volunteers indicated that they actually had fun volunteering, being part of a team, helping to do something good for the community and learning more about caring for our environment.”