Plastic Cap Research Articles

Rectal foreign body of a cosmetic bottle treated successfully by transanal retrieval: A case report

Rationale: Retained rectal foreign bodies (RFBs) are unusual clinical presentations whose management is challenging for emergency physicians owing to variations in the object types, anorectal anatomy, sacral curvature, insertion times, and local contamination. Here, we present the diagnosis and treatment in 1 case of retained rectal foreign body. Patient concerns: A 62-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a cosmetic bottle inserted into the rectum while bathing. He had difficulty defecating and denied any underlying psychiatric illness. Before coming to the hospital, the patient attempted to remove the cosmetic bottle with a screwdriver but failed, causing the cosmetic bottle to penetrate further into the intestinal lumen. The patient felt that the anal bulging was gradually worsening. Diagnoses: Investigations, a digital rectal examination, and coronal abdominal computed tomography revealed a foreign body stuck in the rectum. Interventions and outcomes: After lateral internal sphincterotomy, the cosmetic bottle’s plastic cap was pinched using a towel clamp and rotated slowly. The patient had an uneventful recovery period; the difficult defecation and anal bulging were relieved. Lessons: This case proves that lateral internal sphincterotomy can be performed to remove retained rectal foreign bodies if sufficient sphincter relaxation and anal dilatation cannot be achieved with proper anesthesia.

Composites made of a blend of plastics recovered from bottle caps reinforced with fibers from banana rachis waste. A Circular Economy Strategy in the Canary Islands

The application of the Circular Economy can be a key answer to sustainability strategies and can reach peak importance in the outermost regions like the Canary Islands due to their limitations in the treatment of agroforestry and municipal waste. This paper explores the application of Circular Economy in the Canary Islands polymer transformation industry. The authors explore a polymer blend from plastic bottle caps recovered from the selective waste recollection that can be reinforced with banana fibers from the pseudostem and the rachis of the plants. The paper shows the potential and the competitiveness of the blends and the composite materials. The authors have found that the polymer blend can be used as a substitute for high-density polyethylene. The results show that composite materials with reinforcement percentages equal to or higher than 30 wt% offer higher mechanical properties and are more cost-effective than plastic blends. The paper shows the opportunity to create value from urban and agroforestry waste and at the same time prevent the dumping of these subproducts.

Evaluation of interferents in sampling materials for analysis of post-explosion residues (explosive emulsion/ANFO) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Chemical analysis aimed at identifying post-explosion residues is critical for investigating crimes or accidents involving explosives, establishing it as a vital area of forensic chemistry. In general, only trace amounts remain in samples analyzed for this purpose, making the presence of interferents a constant concern. Therefore, understanding the materials used from collection to sample preparation is essential for this type of analysis. This study focuses on organic contaminants in collection and laboratory materials analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), complementing a previous study by Mauricio etal. (2020), which addressed inorganic contaminants in materials used for similar purposes in ion chromatography (IC). No prior studies have specifically investigated the potential organic interferences introduced by various materials commonly used in forensic laboratories for sample pre-processing, storage, and evidence collection in this context. Plastic films, bottle caps, disposable gloves, syringes, swabs, disposable cups, plastic tubes, and plastic pipettes were examined. GC/MS analyses revealed that certain materials, particularly syringe plungers, gloves, and plastic films, can interfere with the detection of post-explosion residues from explosive emulsions and ANFO (ammonium nitrate-fuel oil). These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating materials for potential interferences prior to sample collection and processing to minimize contamination risks. This study provides significant insights into how commonly used laboratory materials can impact forensic analysis, thereby enhancing the reliability of post-explosion residue analysis and supporting more accurate forensic investigations.

Synthetic Microplastics in UK tap and bottled water; Implications for human exposure

There is increasing concern for public health over inadvertent human exposure to MPs due to potential adverse health effects linked to MPs polymeric composition, toxic chemical additives, and/or harmful microorganisms adsorbing onto their surfaces. While numerous studies have reported MPs occurrence and risk in the freshwater aquatic environment and drinking water sources (e.g., rivers, lakes, and reservoirs), the current state-of-knowledge on MPs pollution in drinking water (i.e., tap water and bottled water) remains limited at a global level. This paper provides the first comprehensive study of the occurrence, concentrations, size distribution, shape, and polymer type of MPs in 177 tap water samples from 13 cities in the United Kingdom, as well as 85 samples of bottled water from 17 popular brands, with various packaging materials, on the UK market.MPs were detected in all tap water samples (range 6–100 MP/L) and bottled water samples (range 12–62 MP/L). Average MPs concentration in tap water (40 ± 16 MP/L) was statistically indistinguishable from that in bottled water (37 ± 11 MP/L). However, the average MPs particle size in tap water (32.4 μm) exceeded significantly (p < 0.05) that in bottled water (26.5 μm), indicating the various purification processes applied to bottled water may help remove larger MPs, but raises concern over the potential adverse health effects from exposure to smaller MPs. The most frequently detected polymer types were: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in tap water, and PE, PP and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in bottled water. A strong correlation was observed (r = 0.68, P = 0.049) between the plastic cap material (PE) and the predominant polymer type in the bottled water. In terms of morphology, fragments and fibres were the most abundant MPs, together constituting 92 % and 96 % of MPs detected in tap and bottled water samples, respectively.Using EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recommended daily water intakes, the corresponding exposures to MPs in different UK age groups were estimated. On a body weight (BW) basis, infants and toddlers were exposed (4 MP/kg BW/day) at a higher level than adults (1 MP/kg BW/day). This raises concern, given the former's incompletely developed immune/nervous systems rendering them at higher risk of adverse health effects from such exposure.

Decreasing the Size of Bottle Caps: Helping or Hurting Children?

Our study aims to assess if decreasing bottle cap size was associated with more ingestions and injuries nationally. STUDYDESIGN: Retrospective chart review. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. The NEISSwas queried for bottle cap ingestions in children 0 to 18 years old between 2002 and 2021. Demographic factors including age, race, and sex of the patient were recorded. The location where the ingestion took place and the disposition of the patient were also analyzed. Data were excluded if the narrative did not specify the ingestion of a cap of a drinking bottle. A total of 415 bottle cap ingestion injuries were identified, for a national estimate of 11,683 injuries. The mean age at the time of ingestion was 10.3 ± 5.2 years and the majority of the injuries occurred in males (N = 9129, 78.4%). 46.4% (N = 5398) were Caucasian, 17.6% (N = 2046) were Black or African American, and 2.7% (N = 311) were Hispanic. 55.0% (N = 6405) of injuries occurred at an unknown location, 41.4% (N = 4781) occurred at home, and 2.8% (N = 326) occurred at school. 82.3% (N = 9584) of patients were treated in the emergency department and released, 6.9% (N = 808) were treated and admitted, 6.7% (N = 783) were treated and transferred, and 0.9% (N = 110) were held for observation. From 2002 (N = 6) to 2021 (N = 2291), there was a statistically significant increase in bottle cap ingestions (P < .001). Plastic bottle cap ingestions have increased in children over the last 20 years, coincident with the change to smaller bottle caps.

Study of Acoustic Prototypes Based on Plastic Cap Waste

This paper presents the initial prototypes of solutions designed using plastic caps, seeking acoustic applications for both airborne sound insulation and the acoustic conditioning of rooms. Plastic caps are a waste product from the packaging sector and they constitute a major waste problem, given that, if they are not attached to the packaging, they get lost during the recycling cycle and end up in landfill. Finding an application for this waste that can provide acoustic improvements is a sustainable alternative. This paper shows the results of airborne sound insulation measurements obtained in a scaled transmission chamber and sound absorption measurements obtained in a scaled reverberation chamber for different combinations of single and double plastic caps and combinations with thin sheets of sustainable materials, such as jute weaving, textile waste, hemp felt and cork board. Tests have shown that obtaining sound reduction index values of up to 20 dB is possible with plastic cap configurations, or even up to 30 dB is possible at some frequencies with combinations of caps and certain eco-materials. With regard to the sound absorption coefficient tests, close to unity absorption values have been achieved with the appropriate configuration at frequencies that can also be selected. The results indicate that these panels can be eco-solutions for airborne sound insulation as lightweight elements, or they can be used for the conditioning of rooms, tailoring the sound absorption maximums to the desired frequencies.

Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Admission Hypothermia of Preterm Infants Born at Less than 32 Weeks or 1,500 g

Purpose: Hypothermia upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) contributes significantly to various neonatal complications, particularly in preterm infants. This study aimed to assess the impact of quality improvement (QI) interventions, including using plastic bags and head caps, and adjusting delivery room temperatures, on improving the admission body temperature and reducing hypothermia in infants born at less than 32 weeks or weighing 1,500 g.Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of infants born at less than 32 weeks or weighing 1,500 g who admitted to the NICU at Samsung Medical Center from January 2022 to February 2024. The QI program that was initiated in April 2023 focused on managing admission temperatures using plastic bags and head caps, and maintaining delivery room temperatures at ≥25 °C. The admission temperature and short-term outcomes pre- and post-QI were compared.Results: In a study of 270 patients, implementing QI initiatives significantly raised the admission temperature from 36.2±0.5 to 36.4±0.4 °C (p&lt;0.01), particularly impacting infants weighing ≥1,000 g, in whom mild hypothermia occurrences dropped from 76.3% to 43.9% (p&lt;0.01). This improvement in temperature management significantly decreased both mild and severe hypothermia rates post-QI. Additionally, implementing all three initiatives was more effective than when two or fewer initiatives were implemented.Conclusion: Simple and cost-effective QI interventions can increase admission temperatures and decrease hypothermia in neonates. Further research is essential to explore the long-term outcomes and develop effective hypothermia management strategies in neonatal care.

Analysis of the Effect of Trust and Information Sharing on Supply Chain Performance with Innovation as a Mediating Variable (Study on gula semut SMEs in Kulon Progo Regency)

This study aims to determine the effect of trust (X1), information sharing (X2) on supply chain performance (Y) mediated by Innovation SMEs. The population in this study were SMEs in Kulon Progo Yogyakarta. From the population taken 35 samples with non-probability sampling method. The model in this study uses Partial Least Square. And the results showed that trust and information sharing have a significant positive effect on supply chain performance mediated by SME Innovation. Applicative suggestions that can be applied are the need for trust between supply chain members. because there is still distrust between supply chain members which in the future can hinder supply chain performance. In addition, there is a need for innovations that can accelerate the performance of the supply chain such as the need for a sap drying oven, plastic caps so that the sap is not mixed with water and dirt and jerry cans are placed between 4 - 5 coconut trees which makes it easier to transport raw material supplies. With trust and information sharing can create these innovations that can affect supply chain performance.

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CUTTING-EDGE PLASTIC BOTTLE CAP PRESS TOOLS FOR A GREENER FUTURE

Waste is the result of human activity which puts great pressure on the environment, especially when waste is not collected and ends up piling up in open places and water bodies. Waste management can generally be done by burning it, throwing it into ditches, landfilling it and most often throwing it into rivers. This design aims to deal with plastic waste by recycling it. The method used is a melting system using a microwave, while pressing uses a hydraulic jack. The use of this tool is to recycle the waste and process it into something that has use and sale value. The results of this bottle cap recycling tool convert plastic bottle cap waste into furniture material, in the form of coasters. The jack used in this tool has a capacity of 10 tons. In tests carried out on 125g bottle caps, they melted for 60 minutes at a temperature of 250°C.

Levels of Phthalate Acid Esters in Drinking Water Bottled in PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and PC (Polycarbonates) Bottles - stored under Different Storage Conditions in Mwanza City, Tanzania

Bottled drinking water is widely advertised and sold in glass or, to a greater extent, plastic bottles with metallic or plastic caps, and is regularly drank by both children and adults. Mwanza City markets have many brands of bottled drinking water packed in PET and PC plastic bottles whose polymers may contain additives such as phthalates. Certain cancer types, hormone imbalances, and developmental delays have all been connected to these phthalates, which are harmful to human health. This study investigated, the effects of storage conditions, time spent in storage, and type of container polymer on the leaching of phthalates from packaging materials into particular brands of locally produced PC and PET bottled drinking water that are regularly consumed by adults and children and sold in Mwanza City markets. The method of determination was liquid-liquid extraction followed by chromatographic analysis for identification of the specific phthalates compounds.&#x0D; The results that the lowest mean Di methyl phthalates (DMP) concentration in water packed in PET bottles was 0.085 µg/mL before storage and that the mean DMP concentration increased to 0.235 µg/mL following six months of storage at room temperature and outdoor temperature. Additionally, the 18.9-liter PET bottle migrated higher than the 1.5-liter PET bottle due to its larger surface area for water contact and higher surface-to-volume ratio; however, it was found that production contamination, not migration, was the cause of the higher Di methyl phthalates concentrations in the PC bottles. These findings suggest that storing PET bottles containing drinking water at room and outdoor temperatures for an extended period of time directly impacts phthalate migration. Furthermore, this study shows reusing plastic water bottles raises the risk that the inner surface will deteriorate and release more phthalates, which raises concerns about the safety of drinking water that has been prepared and stored in a plastic bottle.

Stability of extemporaneously prepared clofazimine oral suspensions

AbstractBackgroundClofazimine is recommended as a treatment for tuberculosis in infants. Extemporaneously prepared clofazimine oral suspensions are more appropriate dosage forms for infants than tablets, however no data exist to inform appropriate storage conditions.AimTo examine the physical and chemical stability of extemporaneously prepared clofazimine oral suspensions and determine appropriate storage conditions.MethodAn oral suspension of clofazimine 10 mg/mL was prepared by grinding six 100 mg clofazimine tablets to produce a fine powder. Ora‐Blend SF (sugar free) was added to make a final volume of 60 mL. Six 10 mL aliquots were placed in amber plastic bottles with plastic bottle caps. Three bottles were stored at room temperature, and three bottles were refrigerated at 4°C. Following shaking, a 1 mL sample was taken from each bottle on days 0, 7, 14, 28, and 60. Samples were assayed using the high‐performance liquid chromatography method. The samples were visually examined for colour change and separation at each time point. Stability was defined as the retention of at least 90% of the initial concentration. Ethics approval was not required for this research article as it was a stability study that did not involve human subjects.ResultsThe clofazimine content remained &gt;94% of the initial concentration throughout the 60‐day period for samples that were kept at room temperature, and slightly &lt;90% (87.4%) for samples that were kept refrigerated at 4°C. No separation or colour change was noted throughout the 60‐day period for both preparations.ConclusionExtemporaneously prepared suspensions of clofazimine in Ora‐Blend SF were chemically stable for at least 60 days when stored at room temperature. Clofazimine degraded slightly more rapidly at 4°C compared to room temperature.

The plastic homes of hermit crabs in the Anthropocene

Plastic is the most pervasive element of marine waste, with harmful impact on wildlife. By using iEcology (i.e., internet Ecology, use of online data sources as a new tool in ecological research), we report on the emergence of a novel behaviour in hermit crabs related to the use of plastic or other anthropogenic materials as protective shells. We analysed images posted on social media to identify 386 individuals with artificial shells — mainly plastic caps (85 %). We report that 10 of the world's 16 terrestrial hermit crabs use artificial shells, a behaviour observed on all of the Earth's tropical coasts. Four non-exclusive mechanisms may drive individual choice for artificial shells: sexual signaling, lightness of artificial shells, odour cues, and camouflage in a polluted environment. Further research is needed to determine the impact of this behaviour on hermit crab evolutionary trajectories.

Assessment of marine litter on Morocco’s Mediterranean beaches

Marine litter pollution is one of the world’s major environmental challenges. In the Mediterranean, marine litter on beaches is mainly generated by tourism and recreational activities. The present study is part of an "Adopt-a-Beach" pilot project, initiated as part of the Marine Litter MED (ML MED) project, coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP/MAP. The main objective of this work was to assess and quantify marine litter on four beaches along Morocco’s Mediterranean coast (Merkala Tanger, Amsa Tetouan, Sabadia Al Hoceima, and Miami Nador) over a seasonal cycle during 2018–2019, in line with UNEP/MAP guidelines. On average, 1768 items/100 m were collected from the four beaches, with a density of 0.34 items/m2. "Plastic/polystyrene" was the main component of the total debris collected, accounting for 74.1% in number of items, followed by "paper/cardboard" at 6.4%. The dominant categories of top 10 items were "plastic/polystyrene pieces &lt; 50 cm" (G76), "cigarette butts and filters" (G27), "plastic caps and lids" (G21/24), and "crisps packets/sweets wrappers" (G30/31) that all comprised 49.9% of the total items. Tourism and recreational wastes were the most represented sources at 52%.

Troubled water: Tracing the plastic tide on Sierra Leone’s beaches

Abstract This study provides the first investigation into quantities, types, and potential sources of anthropogenic beach litter in Sierra Leone. Beach litter surveys were conducted monthly at four sites over 11 months. A total of 72,901 litter items (1,246 kg dry weight) were categorised. Across all sites, an average of 1,657 items per 100 m (SD = 1,639) and 28.32 kg per 100 m (SD = 37.48) were recorded. Plastics accounted for 70% of the litter by count and 49% by weight. The three most abundant items by count were plastic bottles (25%), plastic caps and lids (13%), and plastic water sachets (12%). By weight, the three most abundant items were plastic bottles (36%), flip-flops (20%), and shoes (9%). Litter amounts decreased from wet to dry season. We provide the following policy recommendations: improving drinking water access and sanitation, waste management, infrastructure and behaviour change.

Use of Raw, Thermized and Pasteurized Cow’s Milk for Making Siirt Herbed Tulum Cheese.

In this study, Siirt herby tulum cheese was produced using raw, thermalized and pasteurized forms of cow milk taken from a farm. Production and packaging were completed within 24 hours. The pasteurization was made at 72˚C for 1 min, and the termization at 68˚C for 1 min. Cloth formation was made at 32˚C for 90 min. The clot was broken into a 1x1x1 cm pieces, left for 45 min, and then filtered for 15 min. First pressure was applied to the strained curd, to which 1% salt was added, under half the weight of milk for 12 hours. Sirmo (Allium sp.) was added to the curd and a second pressure was applied for 12 hours under a weight equal to the weight of the milk used. Chickpea-sized cheese samples were tightly pressed in a plastic screw cap package, and then ripened at 4 °C for 120 d. The curd efficiency was calculated using the ratio of the amount of curd to the milk. The % yield of raw, thermized and pasteurized milk curds was determined as 26.7, 38.6 and 21.1, respectively. Similar dry matter levels (average 45%) were detected in all three cheeses. It was observed that pasteurized milk cheeses reached appropriate microbiological quality on the first d, pureed milk cheeses on the 60th d, and raw milk cheeses on the 90th d. During the process, the pH of raw milk cheeses increased from 5.4 on the first d to 7.1 on the 120th d. In pasteurized milk, these values were measured as 6.1 and 5.9. Adequate acidity and pH improvement was observed by using pasteurized cow's milk. It was seen that Siirt herby tulum cheese can be produced using pasteurized cow's milk, with a minimum of 20% fat, 20% protein, 45% dry matter and a maximum of 2% salt. The proposed method may be useful for more standard, hygienic and economical production. Further research on the subject and development of the ideal industrial production process can be achieved.

Research on Robot Screwing Skill Method Based on Demonstration Learning.

A robot screwing skill learning framework based on teaching-learning is proposed to improve the generalization ability of robots for different scenarios and objects, combined with the experience of a human operation. This framework includes task-based teaching, learning, and summarization. We teach a robot to twist and gather the operation's trajectories, define the obstacles with potential functions, and counter the twisting of the robot using a skill-learning-based dynamic movement primitive (DMP) and Gaussian mixture model-Gaussian mixture regression (GMM-GMR). The hole-finding and screwing stages of the process are modeled. In order to verify the effectiveness of the robot tightening skill learning model and its adaptability to different tightening scenarios, obstacle avoidance trends and tightening experiments were conducted. Obstacle avoidance and tightening experiments were conducted on the robot tightening platform for bolts, plastic bottle caps, and faucets. The robot successfully avoided obstacles and completed the twisting task, verifying the effectiveness of the robot tightening skill learning model and its adaptability to different tightening scenarios.

Polyethylene terephthalate cap‐based bioreactors for combined domestic and dye wastewater treatment

AbstractIn the current study, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) and a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) were designed and used to treat actual samples of combined domestic and dye (Congo red) wastewaters over a 10‐hour cycle. A new application of reusing plastic bottle caps in the SBBR and MBBR was examined. In the SBR, maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of up to 66% ± 3% was achieved after nine cycles of operation. In the SBBR, a rapid increase in COD removal efficiency was observed during the first cycle, with a noticeable improvement in performance in subsequent cycles, eventually reaching a maximum COD removal efficiency of 77% ± 3%. In the MBBR, maximum COD removal of up to 88% ± 3% was achieved after nine cycles of operation. The biodegradation occurred during two phases in the SBR and SBBR, as an anaerobic phase in the first 2 hours and then as an aerobic phase in the last 8 hours of operation; the MBBR operated in the fully saturated aerobic phase for 10 hours. Of the three reactors used, results for the MBBR in the fully aerobic condition by using polyethylene terephthalate caps as a biocarrier, demonstrated the optimum conditions under which to treat and biodegrade Congo red at all concentration in each cycle. The maximum removal efficiency, which equalled 99% ± 1%, was recorded at an optimal concentration of 50 mg/L. Additionally, five kinetic models were proposed to assess microbial growth activity, and the results demonstrated the elimination of toxic effects when using polyethylene terephthalate caps as biocarriers in the MBBR. The laboratory experiments were consistent with the Monod model.

Is Airborne 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (TCA) a Threat for Bottled Wine?

Background and Aims. This work investigated the TCA permeability of twelve types of commercial bottle closures during 24 months of bottle storage in the d5-TCA-contaminated atmosphere: medium pollution (max. ∼50 ng/L of d5-TCA in the air) and high pollution (max. ∼500 ng/L of d5-TCA in the air). Methods and Results. The d5-TCA content of wine samples and bottle closures was monitored by GC-MS analysis, and the closures of one group (comprising natural corks, agglomerated stoppers, and BVS Tin Saran™ screw caps) were found to be excellent barriers against airborne d5-TCA, i.e., no contaminant was detected in wine under any storage conditions. In contrast, a second group of closures (synthetic stoppers with low OTR, BVS Saranex™, and plastic body screw caps) allowed permeation of d5-TCA, polluting the wine when air contamination was high, albeit no d5-TCA was detected in wines following storage under medium air contamination conditions. A third group of closures (synthetic stoppers with medium and medium + OTR, MCA screw caps, and glass stoppers) allowed d5-TCA to accumulate in wine under both medium and high contamination environments. Conclusions. Some commercial bottle closures were found to permeate airborne d5-TCA, thereby contaminating bottled wine under certain storage conditions. Significance of the Study. This work provides the wine industry with insight into the potential for postbottling contamination of wine by airborne TCA.

The behaviour of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bottled mineral water

Microbial contamination of bottled water during the filling and capping procedure is a problem which should be avoided. The examination of the influence of carbon dioxide (CO2) on bacterial growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in bottled mineral water was the aim of this study. Commercially available glass bottles with plastic screw caps filled with natural mineral water (without additional CO2 “still” (StMW) and with CO2 “sparkling” (SpMW) were obtained from a manufacturer in the province of Styria, Austria. The artificial contamination was performed in the lab by opening the bottle with subsequent addition of a bacterial solution with a defined number of bacteria. For each bacterial strain, 12 bottles were prepared. Samples (100 mL) were taken after a specific number of days, filtrated and placed on Endo Agar for cultivation. After incubation for 24 h bacterial colonies were counted. In this study CO2 addition to bottled water reduced colony forming units of the two investigated bacterial strains over time.

Contamination by plastic caps on urban beaches with different levels of use

This study aimed to evaluate contamination by plastic caps at two urban beaches, Pina and Boa Viagem, located in the Northeast of Brazil, under different spatial-temporal configurations. A areas with different use characteristics (P1: heavily used and P2: lightly used) were sampled with ten transects running from the solarium region to the high tide line, in a south-north direction. The sample area was standardised to nº caps/m². Soon after the collection of the caps, all of the material collected was sent to a laboratory to establish the morphometry and the level of degradation of the material. We also conducted an audit of the brands. A total of 1426 caps were collected over twelve collections, with a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the areas, where P1 showed 92.4% of the total (1.25 items/m²), and area P2 only showed 7.6% of the total (0.29 items/m²). Four degradation stages, five material categories, and 31 brands were identified.