Over 5,000 Volunteers Remove Litter from New Jersey Beaches and Waterways at NJ’s Largest Volunteer Environmental Event

NEW JERSEY – To rejoice their ardour for the ocean, 1000’s gathered as we speak, April 9, 2022, at 75 websites alongside the Jersey Shore and past to take away dangerous particles at Clear Ocean Motion’s (COA) thirty seventh Annual Spring Seaside Sweeps. Guided by devoted Seaside Captains at every web site, volunteers of all ages spent the morning accumulating and tabulating particles faraway from shorelines from Bergen to Cape Could Counties. By doing so, volunteers make seashores safer for marine life and extra pleasing for individuals, whereas additionally contributing the all-important knowledge. The info from the Seaside Sweeps turns a one-day occasion right into a legacy of knowledge to enhance public consciousness, change wasteful habits, implement litter legal guidelines and enhance insurance policies to scale back sources of marine particles.

“Whereas Mom Nature despatched us some fickle climate, there was nothing fickle concerning the 1000’s of volunteers who turned out to provide the Jersey Shore seashores a pleasant, clear sweep – with fascinating finds” mentioned Cindy Zipf, Govt Director, Clear Ocean Motion.

Every Seaside Sweeps offers a snapshot of what’s discovered on practically each seaside from Perth Amboy to Cape Could, NJ, and past. The info produced from the Seaside Sweeps is compiled and publicized in an annual report that gives a deeper exploration into litter on the Jersey Shore. To view knowledge introduced within the 2021 Seaside Sweeps Report, go to CleanOceanAction.org.

Right now’s occasion additionally marked the official launch of the Seaside Sweeps knowledge card in Spanish. Spanish knowledge playing cards have been in demand at many Seaside Sweeps websites throughout New Jersey. COA is dedicated to inclusivity throughout all applications and appears ahead to taking better steps in the direction of making occasions just like the Seaside Sweeps extra accessible for all.

“Hundreds of volunteers got here from close to and much to indicate their pleasure for the Jersey Shore. From Seaside Captains to Seaside Sweeps volunteers, their dedication to defending our seashores was on dazzling show as we speak.” mentioned Alison Jones, Watershed Program Supervisor, Clear Ocean Motion.

Amassing knowledge is essential to the Seaside Sweeps program. The important activity might be tedious and time consuming, so it’s a testomony of true-blue ocean devotion by volunteers. The info is compiled into annual experiences which were used for over twenty years as proof of the necessity for robust insurance policies and habits modifications to scale back litter and wasteful practices. For instance, the information was instrumental in getting the NJ Single Use Plastic Waste Discount Act handed. The majority of this regulation goes into impact on Could 4, 2022, which bans all plastic luggage from shops and foam plastic (e.g., Styrofoam) meals containers. As well as, the information was used to help passage of the NJ Recycled Content material regulation which incentivizes recycling by making a marketplace for recycled supplies, together with plastic. These legal guidelines make New Jersey stand out as a nationwide chief in reusing waste and stopping litter, in addition to defending public well being and marine life.

“Because of the 1000’s of volunteers that work so laborious, we now have the proof to persuade our elected officers to cross and implement the legal guidelines we have to scale back this critical menace to the atmosphere and public heath,” mentioned Kari Martin, COA Advocacy Marketing campaign Supervisor.

Under are preliminary outcomes from Sandy Hook collected by 499 volunteers, together with the highest 5 objects:

(1) 5,743 meals, sweet wrappers/luggage

(2) 5,052 plastic bottle caps/lids

(3) 4,190 plastic items

(4) 3,206 plastic straws/stirrers

(5) 1,157 foam items

All through Seaside Sweeps, volunteers are inspired to notice any out-of-the-ordinary finds. COA labels these finds as “The Roster of the Ridiculous.” A number of the objects catalogued as we speak included: gigantic teddy bear, letters written in Russian, hair roller, automotive bumper, asparagus, laborious hat, ladder, automotive door, and Husky software bag.

COA’s volunteer Seaside Captains are there to direct the hub of volunteers and particular person members at every web site. These Captains lead the cleanup effort and are indispensable to the general success of this system.

“I’m a Marine Science pupil at Stockton College, so being a Seaside Captain for Clear Ocean Motion has been essential to me,” mentioned Kylie Renna, Volunteer Seaside Captain in Atlantic Metropolis. “I’m blown away each Seaside Sweep by the quantity of folks that come out and need to assist. I like bringing the neighborhood collectively to carry consciousness to an necessary subject and assist save our ocean!”

“The waters right here in NY/NJ have been so good to me whether or not or not it’s by means of offering stunning surroundings, seafood or winter surfs with a couple of good mates. But, it’s laborious to disclaim that my particular person habits as a client immediately and not directly have a adverse influence on the atmosphere right here. Being concerned with COA comes much less from a need to assist out and extra an obligation to guard our stunning and fragile house,” mentioned Gene Casazza, first-time Volunteer Seaside Captain.

In lots of municipalities statewide, the Seaside Sweeps are supported by NJ Clear Communities Coordinators, who assist to advertise the occasion, arrange logistics, and in some circumstances, function volunteer Seaside Captains.

“Ocean Metropolis has been lucky to have a beautiful relationship with Clear Ocean Motion for a few years,” mentioned Charlotte Moyer, Volunteer Seaside Captain and NJ Clear Communities Coordinator. “COA’s steering and management has contributed to the good success our clear ups have turn out to be. The Metropolis has an impressive volunteer base of our Undertake A Seaside members, households, people, companies, faculty teams and plenty of others that proceed to provide of their time & dedication to holding our seashores and ocean litter free. Now including NJCCC’s help, assets and experience to the group – our success of a litter free Ocean Metropolis – Americas Biggest Household Resort – can solely develop from right here.”

Waves of Because of Our Seaside Sweeps Sponsors!

For over 36 years, Clear Ocean Motion has organized grassroots volunteer Seaside Sweeps throughout the state. These devoted organizations have offered important funding in order that COA can execute and develop the Sweeps. COA additionally acknowledges and thanks all the businesses who’ve supported the occasion through the years. Clear Ocean Motion is grateful for the help of the sponsors and is impressed by all that they do to help our communities.

Website Sponsors: ACECNJ – American Council of Engineering Corporations New Jersey, Appalachian Mountain Membership, New York-North Jersey Chapter, Applegate, Artwork for Sea, Baine Contracting, Boatsetter, Ciocca Subaru of Pleasantville, Colliers Engineering & Design, DHL Specific, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Manasquan Financial institution, OceanFirst Basis, Slalom

“The Clear Ocean Motion Seaside Sweeps play a major function in drawing consideration to and lowering the plastics in our oceans and on our shoreline,” mentioned Invoice Henderson, Senior Vice President, Brother Worldwide Company. “As a state sponsor and participant of those occasions, we all know how necessary these efforts are as a result of there may be nothing fairly like seeing the varieties of particles firsthand and getting out into the neighborhood to make a distinction. We’re grateful to everybody who joined the Seaside Sweeps efforts as we head into Earth month.”

“Financial institution of America is a longtime supporter of Clear Ocean Motion’s Seaside Sweeps, with their efforts to maintain our seashores clear of dangerous particles contributing to the general wellbeing of our neighborhood,” mentioned Alberto Garofalo, President, Financial institution of America New Jersey. “We are able to all do our half to guard our coastlines for future generations, and COA’s findings reveal the actual influence of our on a regular basis selections.”

Waves of due to all our great volunteers, from the small to the tall, who participated in as we speak’s Seaside Sweeps! Collectively we are able to all make a distinction for a cleaner ocean to be loved by generations to come back just by choosing up litter each time and wherever we see it. For instance, a chunk of particles discovered on a avenue in central or northern New Jersey can journey downstream and ultimately find yourself within the ocean.