--- title: How do I identify an item I have found on a clean-up? description: What do I do if I find something during a clean-up that I can't identify? --- [Skip to content](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/what-do-i-do-if-i-find-something-during-a-clean-up-that-i-cant-identify#main-content) ![TBF AMDI Logo Pair white](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair%20white.png?width=400&height=160&name=TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair%20white.png) - [Events](https://www.tangaroablue.org/events) - [Volunteer](https://tangaroablue.org/volunteer/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Events](https://www.tangaroablue.org/events) - [Volunteer](https://tangaroablue.org/volunteer/) - [Contact us](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) [Contact us](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Marine Debris Knowledge Base](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-au) 2. [Data and Monitoring (AMDI)](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au) 3. [Troubleshooting](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#troubleshooting) 19 January 2026 # How do I identify an item I have found on a clean-up? ## The first place to look is in the marine debris manual ### Identifying your mystery item #### Step 1 Check the [Marine Debris ID Manual](https://tangaroablue.org/clean-up-collections/marine-debris-id-manual/). The Marine Debris Identification Manual provides a comprehensive list and images of items and categories for the AMDI Database. **Tip:** Firstly, look at what material it is made of, and then what it is, e.g. a Plastic bottle cap is different to a Metal bottle cap. #### Step 2 If you are unsure of what an item is after checking the manual, you can use the Google Lens App on your smartphone to get some clues about what it might be. #### Step 3 We also love to see mystery items pop up on our socials - you can always tag us in your post on social media or email the team, and we'll use our in-house marine debris experts and community to help you identify it. If you're using the AMDI app, make sure to enter the item as an "unspecified item" and include a photo. - [About Tangaroa Blue](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Who We Are](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#who-we-are) - [What We Do](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#what-we-do) - [Guidelines and Resources](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#guidelines-and-resources) - [The Issue - Marine Debris](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#the-issue-marine-debris) - [Volunteering & Clean-ups](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Volunteering](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#volunteering) - [Events](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#events) - [Schools, Community and Corporate Events](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#schools-community-and-corporate-events) - [The WA Beach Clean-up](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#the-wa-beach-clean-up) - [The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#the-great-barrier-reef-clean-up) - [Clean-up Tips & Safety Information](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#clean-up-tips-safety-information) - [Data and Monitoring (AMDI)](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [About AMDI](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#about-amdi) - [Methodology](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#methodology) - [Requesting Data](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#requesting-data) - [Troubleshooting](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#troubleshooting) - [Programs & Initiatives](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Rig Recycle](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#rig-recycle) - [Project ReCon](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#project-recon) - [ReefClean](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#reefclean) - [FAD Watch](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#fad-watch) - [Operation Clean Sweep](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#operation-clean-sweep) - [IOT Esky Library Initiative](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#iot-esky-library-initiative) - [Donations, Shop & Support](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Donate](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#donate) - [Sea Store](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#sea-store) - [Source Reduction Plans](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/source-reduction-plans?hsLang=en-au) [![TBF AMDI Logo Pair](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair.png?width=500&height=200&name=TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair.png "TBF AMDI Logo Pair")](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/?hsLang=en-au) [mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) Copyright © 2025, Tangaroa Blue Foundation