A wheelie bin originating from Alabama, America, has astonishingly washed up on Bowleaze Cove, a beach in Weymouth, Dorset, after drifting across the Atlantic Ocean for nearly four years.
Ryan Stalker, a 46-year-old engineer and passionate underwater photographer, discovered the distinctive rubbish bin during the powerful winds brought by Storm Chandra. Having frequently found unusual debris on British shores, Ryan was immediately intrigued by this particular item due to the clearly marked word “Alabama” emblazoned on its side.
Curious, Ryan shared a photo of the bin in his local photography Facebook group, which quickly sparked international interest, especially from Alabama residents. Soon after, Ryan was contacted by a waste management company from Alabama who helped trace the bin’s journey.
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Their investigation revealed the bin was lost during Hurricane Sally in 2020. Specifically, it came from Fort Morgan, a coastal area severely affected by the storm. The waste company explained how many bins were lost or buried during the incident, with legal restrictions preventing full retrieval.
Ryan shared his amazement: “The bin had been at sea for around six years—the odds of finding it here are incredibly slim.” The bin’s surface was covered in goose barnacles and seaweed, further illustrating its lengthy ocean voyage.
Both Ryan and his wife Sandra, also an underwater photographer, frequently document marine debris traveling long distances. Ryan won the 2024 British Wildlife Photography Award for his stunning photograph titled ‘Ocean Drifter’ — which features a barnacle-covered football resting beneath the waters off Portland.
Their findings have highlighted the environmental impact of ocean litter. Ryan lamented, “We find all sorts of rubbish – from fridge doors to trophies and fishing gear. It’s heartbreaking to see marine life endangered by plastic and discarded fishing equipment.” The couple makes a point to remove plastic waste from beaches to protect local ecosystems, though natural wood debris is sometimes left untouched.
This rare discovery of a transatlantic bin underscores how interconnected the world’s oceans are and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of managing waste responsibly.