4,000 Turn Out For 31st Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps

More than 4,000 volunteers turned out at more than 70 sites up and down the Jersey Shore for the 31st annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps on Saturday morning.

Thousands of pieces of plastic, food wrappers, and plastic straws, along with more unusual items like a CD of Christmas songs and a ball of twine were removed during the cleanup, according to a news release from Clean Ocean Action.

The Beach Sweeps first began in 1985, with 75 volunteers cleaning up Sandy Hook. On Saturday, the group said, more than 1,100 volunteers were at Sandy Hook. From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. they picked up items and cataloged everything collected.

The data produced is publicized in an annual report that provides a deeper exploration into the pollution issues throughout the Jersey Shore, the organization noted.

“The Beach Sweeps never cease to amaze me! Volunteers from the tall and the small to the young and the old, are an inspiration for us to continue to do what we do. COA’s daily work is to provide and protect our oceans, bays, waterways and beaches,” said Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action. “Volunteers from schools, churches, businesses, organizations, corporations and teams continue to get down and dirty to rid our beaches of the litter that has accumulated all winter. This year was no different."

“Protecting and preserving the Jersey Shore and the ocean waters is an economic issue as well as an environmental issue. The activities that evolve around the Shore, such as fishing, boating, swimming and tourism, are key to the state’s economy and provide many jobs,” U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. said. “I applaud Clean Ocean Action and so many volunteers for their determination to keep our beaches safe and clean.”

The information cataloged from Saturday's sweeps will be combined with data collected during the fall Beach Sweeps, which are scheduled for Oct. 22.

"The Beach Sweeps annual report identifies pollution problems and educates citizens on the quantities and types of marine debris," the group said. The report also is distributed to legislators in hopes they use it to implement stricter litter bans and enforce laws to protect the marine environment.

Selected totals from Sandy Hook included: 7,594 plastic pieces, 5,799 food/candy wrappers, 5,284 caps/lids, 2,426 straws/stirrers, and 1,539 cigarette filters.

The Beach Sweeps are supported by AVEDA, Bank of America, Comcast, Kohl’s, and ShopRite, as well as many other smaller sponsorships.

The 2015 Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps Annual Report can be downloaded here at cleanoceanaction.org.

(Photos via Clean Ocean Action Facebook page; included: Rep. Frank Pallone addresses the group at Sandy Hook as Clean Ocean Action executive director Cindy Zipf applauds.)