EARTH DAY Spirits not Dampened at the 32nd Annual Beach Sweeps!

EARTH DAY Spirits not Dampened! 

Sweeping Success as Thousands Hit the Jersey Shore Beaches

Coastal New Jersey —Most of the earth is ocean, so it makes perfect sense for thousands to flock to the Jersey Shore to help improve and protect that which brings so much joy year round.   Rather than bathing suits and flip-flops, thousands of beach goers donned gloves and work shoes for Clean Ocean Action’s (COA) 32nd Annual Beach Sweeps at over 60 Jersey Shore sites from Middlesex to Cape May County. Dedicated volunteers spent the day cleaning, collecting and calculating the debris removed from each site.  More and more of the state is participating with sites along the Delaware and in Essex County joining in.  For complete list of locations click here.  For photos for use from Beach Sweeps locations statewide visit Clean Ocean Action’s Facebook page here.

The data produced from this event is publicized in an annual report that provides evidence about the type and quantity of debris found along beaches which is used to educate and motivate for solutions to marine pollution.

“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! Volunteers are even resolved to make personal changes in their daily lives in order to reduce ocean pollution. In a perfect world we wouldn’t need to come back for Beach Sweeps in the fall but until that happens, we will see you in October and remember to pick up debris on every trip to the beach.”

 

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr, (6^th District) greeted the crowd of 1000 at Sandy Hook saying “What you are doing is so important.  The work you do here today has a real impact and has led to the passage of laws such as the Microbead Ban Act which goes into effect this year.”

Valerie Montecalvo, President, of Bayshore Recycling Family of Companies reminded everyone that it was 30 years ago that Governor Tom Kean signed the NJ Mandatory Recycling Act.  “NJ is the nation’s #1 recycler, but we need to do more.” Debris removed by volunteers at Sandy Hook was sorted at Bayshore Recycling Family of Companies to maximize recycling opportunities.

“Seeing the community come together in order to better the environment is truly a beautiful thing,” said Amy Arietta, Program and Administrative Coordinator. “This event is a chance for the general public to become a part of something much larger than themselves. Individuals are scientists for the day as they assist COA in collecting data that will eventually be utilized for scientific purposes. Beach Sweeps is a volunteer driven event – they are the beating heart of our program.”

  

“I've loved seeing so many people show up to the Beach Sweeps ready to make a change. What we are doing today is so important.” – Sierra Byrne, Sandy Hook Beach Sweep Coordinator with Marine Academy of Science and Technology.

Zoe Sucato, also of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, said, “It is so important to stop plastic pollution in the ocean.  Sea cucumbers are amazing squishy creatures and they eat bits of plastic and it is killing them.  All marine life is threatened by plastic and we need to stop this cycle.”

COA Beach Captains are the champions.  They engage with the local community and direct the hub of volunteers and individual participants at their location. These captains lead the cleanup effort at each site and are an indispensable part to which we owe the overall success of the program.

Selected totals from Sandy Hook included: Plastic Pieces- 9,675; Bottle Caps- 7,074; Straws- 3,041; Candy Wrappers- 6,854; Syringes- 51; Balloons- 180; Foam pieces- 4,621; Plastic beverage bottles- 1,406; Glass bottles- 426.

Throughout Beach Sweeps, volunteers are encouraged to note any out-of-the-ordinary finds. COA labels these finds as “The Roster of the Ridiculous”. Some of the items catalogued today included: license plate, baby car seat, scarecrow, bag of drugs, stuffed toy bunny, bird cage, charred bar stool.

With gratitude, Clean Ocean Action thanks: AVEDA, Bank of America, Comcast, KOHL’s, OceanFirst Foundation and ShopRite for their 2017 Beach Sweeps Statewide Sponsorship. The Spring Beach Sweeps are made possible by support from many generous sponsors.

“Wakefern Food Corp/ShopRite is pleased with our 15+ year partnership with Clean Ocean Action (COA). As an environmentally and community oriented business, ShopRite respects when an organization can bring about effective change by involving more and more community member volunteers each year.  The COA Beach Sweeps event brings about the improvement of an important ecological habitat, and when groups of like-minded people come together to solve a problem or improve their environment, they can make a difference and accomplish what an individual could not do alone.  We are proud to be a part of it!” Suzanne Forbes, Corporate Communications, Environmental Affairs Administrator, Wakefern Food Corporation.

“At Aveda, we care for the world we live in.  Every April we celebrate Earth Month and for the mast 8 years we have been focused on clean water projects around the world, to date we have raised $38 million. Together in partnership with Clean Ocean Action they help us educate our Salon network, Experience Centers and guests on how they can take an active for protecting our water locally,” said Eva Van Anglen with Aveda. “We’re really excited to clean up the beach, we constantly strive to live by Aveda’s mission and it’s a reminder about how important the environment is. It is Earth Day every day for us.”

For review the results from the most recent and previous Beach Sweeps, visit cleanoceanaction.org.

Bloomberg LP – Dives into data and so much more

Individuals give back to their community in their own unique ways. For example, COA supporters prefer to volunteer by cleaning up their local beach. Others want to use their expertise and skills to give back to an organization.

In 2011, a team of volunteers from Bloomberg LP first participated in COA’s Corporate Beach Sweeps program. They were inspired by data that had resulted and expanded their unique relationship with COA, taking it from the beach to the office, to explore the data from the Beach Sweeps Program. As you may know, every Beach Sweeper becomes a ‘citizen scientist’ as they record each piece of debris collected on our data cards. The data collection turns a one-day event into a legacy of information that can be used to identify sources of pollution and monitor trends. This research helps COA discover solutions to keep beaches clean and healthy, create federal, state, and local programs to reduce litter in the environment, and protect the public and marine life. Today, COA has over 20+ years of this carefully tracked information. But what does it really say? Has marine debris in New Jersey changed over time?

In the spring of 2014, Bloomberg LP partnered with COA to thoroughly analyze the Beach Sweeps’ data set. This analysis will be the first of its kind in Beach Sweeps history. The goal is to more accurately monitor trends throughout the years and eventually link those trends with various legislation from the past, present, and future, as well as to trach consumerism, weather, and industry changes. In addition to this analysis, the Bloomberg LP team has been working on an innovative technological approach to data management for the Beach Sweeps program. They do so voluntarily, dedicating hundreds of hours.

An overview of the goals of the partnership was released at the Debris Free Sea Conference in November (please check COA’s website to view the presentation), and a more detailed analysis will be ready for the public in 2016.

COA salutes the Bloomberg team for all the volunteer hours and for their dedication.  It is a pleasure working with the dynamic team. They have accomplished a great deal and we look forward to what the future holds for our partnership. COA is also grateful to Bloomberg LP for generously matching their employees’ hard work through their “Dollars for Your Hours” program. 

Waves of Thanks for a Successful 30th Fall Beach Sweeps

On Saturday, October 24th, close to 3,000 volunteers hit the beaches to participate in Clean Ocean Action's 30th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps at over 65 sites from Essex County to Cape May County. Volunteers removed and catalogued each piece of debris, helping to document ongoing pollution issues. Robust crowds were reported up and down the coast. Many volunteers came as teams from local businesses, corporate and grassroots organizations, school and church groups, and families, all with personal ties to the Shore and some with decades of Sweeps participation.

Special thanks to the Beach Captains who helped make this event so successful. Beach Captains, lead volunteers who direct the entire group of participants at each Beach Sweeps location, are essential to the program’s success. They are the heart and soul of Beach Sweeps. These dedicated volunteers coordinate and manage all of the volunteers on the day of the event, answer questions from the volunteers about ocean pollution and serve as COA representatives.

On Sandy Hook alone, Beach Sweep volunteers picked up: 5,846 plastic pieces, 5,324 food/candy wrappers, 4,785 caps/lids, 2,206 straws/stirrers, 1,879 cigarette filters, and 1,047 plastic beverage/soda bottles.

The next Beach Sweeps will be on Saturday, April 30^th. In the meantime, join us at the Debris Free Sea Conference on November 11, 2015. 

Why I am a Beach Captain

By Leah A. Savia

Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Captain for Island Beach State Park

Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps is an important event that I have had the distinct pleasure of volunteering for as Beach Captain at the Island Beach State Park location the last five years. I will a Beach Captain there this upcoming Spring Beach Sweep on Saturday April 25^th. As a transplant from NYC, and new member of the Barnegat Bay Watershed, I was introduced to Beach Sweeps as part of a student event at Ocean County College and consider it not only a duty, but one of my core passions—volunteering, to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our surrounding water bodies.

What better way to truly be a part of this amazing county and community? Beach Sweeps is a family, couple, grandparent, kids, and student friendly event, and it provides an education component that transcends being inside of a classroom. Very often the nature of what refuse is found is discussed, pondered, and further researched by many of the groups I work with every spring and fall season. How did a crematorium tag from Bergen County get all the way down here on the bayside? It certainly spurs the imagination of our participants.

Sharing my experience and satisfaction with being a part of this event is perhaps why I am choosing to write you. Surely there are some good people reading your publication who have the desire to do something for their community, they just don’t know what. If any of you reading this swim, sail, walk, run, entertain guests, meditate, do yoga, waverun, or bask in the glorious summer sky off or on the shores of the Atlantic or surrounding waterways, to them and to you, I say -  come join us Saturday April 25^th from 9 AM to 12:30 PM at over 70 locations around New Jersey! 

2014 Beach Sweep Dirty Dozen – Top 12 items found

For thirty years, Clean Ocean Action (COA) has been scouring the beaches of New Jersey for marine debris, which then gets compiled into annual reports showing the type and amount of debris collected. Last year nearly 7,000 volunteers took to the beaches and bays collecting and recording what they found. The findings are compiled in the 2014 Beach Sweeps Annual Report, highlighting the Dirty Dozen, Roster of the Ridiculous, and the totals for over 90 items of marine debris collected by volunteers last year. Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps started at Sandy Hook in 1985 with 75 volunteers and has become New Jersey’s largest environmental event, with thousands of citizens search and clean nearly the entire coastline and bay beaches.

In 2014, close to 7,000 volunteers collected, tallied, and removed over 315,000 pieces of debris from New Jersey’s shoreline during Clean Ocean Action’s 29th Annual Beach Sweeps. The majority of the debris removed was disposable plastics. Plastic, including foam, represents 76.9% of the total waste found. The evidence is clear: disposable plastic items continue to litter beaches, threaten marine life, and impact water quality.  

Dirty Dozen – Top 12 Items Found:

1. Plastic Pieces – 40,880 
   
2. Cigarette Filters – 30,241
3. Plastic Caps/Lids – 29,804
4. Food Candy Wrappers/Bag – 27,381
5. Straws/Stirrers – 18,372
6. Foam Pieces – 13,050
7. Glass Pieces – 12,703
8. Plastic Beverages/Soda Bottles – 11,775
9. Lumber Pieces – 9,235
10. Plastic Store/Shopping Bags – 8,037
11. Cigar Tips – 6,366
12. Paper Pieces – 5,560

Pollution continues to flow in from many land point and non-point sources in the New York City and New Jersey metropolitan area. Over the past four years, small plastic pieces have consistently placed in the top two types of items found during Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps. In 2014, plastic pieces ranked number one.

Always remember REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE! Reusable bottles, straws, and shopping bags would greatly reduce the amount of plastic we use. Always refuse or reuse when you can, but if that is not an option always recycle!

Don’t forget to join us for the 30th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps Saturday April 25^th from 9 AM to 12:30 PM at over 70 locations around New Jersey. Visit www.cleanoceanaction.org for more information and how to register! 

Plastic Beads, Fragments, and Fibers! Oh My!

Clean Ocean Action’s Microplastic Research Project

Clean Ocean Action is hard at work investigating microplastics in beach sand and coastal waters! In the summer of 2014, Cassandra Ornell, Staff Scientist, and Catie Tobin, Marine Science Education Coordinator, teamed up with scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) along with students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST).

Over the past few months, the team has been hard at work testing various methods that would provide the best data. After time spent with the different systems in the lab, the project has finally moved into the identification stage in which the team is viewing their samples under the microscope. As of last week, the first microbead was seen, confirming the hypothesis that microplastics are present in the New Jersey coastal area.

In the months ahead, the team will continue the identification phase with the hopes of releasing the data in tandem with the year of celebration for the 30^th Beach Sweep Anniversary.  Stay tuned for updates!

Read more about the study here. 

Reducing Styrofoam in the Ocean

Single-Use Styrofoam Ban in NYC

Beginning on July 1, 2015, single-use Styrofoam products will be banned in New York City as per a decision made by Mayor De Blasio in the beginning of January. Food service establishments, stores and manufacturers will not be allowed to possess, sell, or offer for use single service Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam articles or polystyrene loose fill packaging. New York City is now the largest city in the country to ban EPS foam.

The decision came after the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) investigated the ability of foam to be recycled and determined that it could not be properly disposed. The DSNY consulted with corporations, such as the Dart Container Corporation, non-profits, vendors, and other stakeholders.

In addition to phasing out single-use Styrofoam products, NYC’s Department of Education will be utilizing foam trays with compostable plates in schools as of May 1^st.

In 2013 alone, during Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps, volunteers picked up a total of 28,618 foam plastic items, which could be further broken down into fast food containers, cups, pieces, etc. This ban will not only help the waterways of NYC, but it will also protect areas downstream of New York from getting polluted with excess Styrofoam.

For more information, visit: http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/016-15/de-blasio-administration-bans-single-use-styrofoam-products-new-york-city-beginning-july-1-2015

Thousands of Beach Sweeps Volunteers Clean NJ Beaches and Waterways

Clean Ocean Action’s Annual Fall Beach Sweeps – Saturday, October 19

Atlantic City Beach Sweeps Volunteers and the band The Barenaked Ladies

On Saturday, thousands of volunteers hit the beaches to participate in Clean Ocean Action's (COA) 28th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps at over 60 sites along the Jersey Shore. Volunteers collected, tallied, and removed harmful and unsightly debris from New Jersey’s coastline, one year after Superstorm Sandy.

  

This year, Beach Sweeps has been folded into Clean Ocean Action’s Wave of Action For The Shore program, a monthly volunteer initiative started in December 2012 to help the people, businesses, habitats and waterways of New York and New Jersey affected by Superstorm Sandy. 

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to continue to integrate Beach Sweeps into the Waves of Action program, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Catie Tobin, Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow.  “With more than 1,700 volunteers pre-registered for Fall Beach Sweeps, it is evident that taking care of our shores a year after Sandy continues to be a priority,” she added.

“As we approach the one year anniversary of Sandy, COA's volunteers continue to provide invaluable assistance to the recovery of the entire shore area, and Sea Bright in particular. We are very grateful for their support and look forward to continuing our longstanding, positive relationship,” stated Sea Bright Volunteer Coordinator Frank Lawrence.

The data collected Saturday will be combined with data collected at Spring Beach Sweeps in April, and then analyzed and presented in an annual report. These annual reports identify pollution problems, educate citizens on the types and quantities of debris, aid legislators in passing and enforcing laws to protect the marine environment, and contribute to local and international efforts to combat marine pollution.  The data from the Spring and Fall 2013 Beach Sweeps will be released next spring.  Beach Sweeps Reports from previous years are available at www.cleanoceanaction.org.

Key to the program’s success are the volunteer Beach Captains that lead each of the Beach Sweeps locations. These dedicated volunteers coordinate and manage all of the volunteers the day of the event, answer questions from the volunteers about ocean pollution and serve as Clean Ocean Action representatives.

High School Student Peter Donnelly and Friend

“We would like to thank all the people who care enough about our oceans and beaches to come out and help make Clean Ocean Action’s Fall Beach Sweeps such a success. Sandy may have set us back but thanks to the hard work of people from all over we are coming back. We would also like to thank Union Beach's Public Works. Through everything they have had to deal with this year they still have time to help with supplies, tables and picking up the stuff that gets picked up on the beach,” said High School Student and Union Beach Captain Peter and Union Beach Captain Fran Donnelly.

“Over the last 20 years as the Sea Bright Public Beach Captain, it has been amazing to meet so many different people who have the same love of the ocean. It has been especially wonderful to see all the children from local schools growing up. My son has now taken over from me as Beach Captain, so we are in good hands,” said Sea Bright Public Beach Captains Mark and Cash Woldseth.

"I get a lot of support from the local girl scouts and their families, thanks to Erin and Nadine Foreman. I am so very grateful for them!" exclaimed Island Beach State Park Beach Captain Leah Savia.

The Fall Beach Sweeps were made possible by support from generous sponsors.  The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Aveda, Bank of America, Comcast, TD Bank, and ShopRite Wakefern.

“Aveda’s focus on environmental leadership and responsibility has led to years of collaboration with Clean Ocean Action to protect clean water.  Our vision of connecting beauty, environment, and well-being is showcased through partnerships with local organizations like Clean Ocean Action.  We look forward to continuing to defend life’s most precious natural resource – water,” stated Aveda Earth Fund Director Katie Galloway.

“Through Beach Sweeps, our teams of volunteers have assisted in cleaning-up trash and debris on New Jersey beaches, lakes, rivers and streams,” said Bob Doherty, New Jersey President, Bank of America.  “Clean Ocean Action offers people a chance to improve their environment and be part of a global effort to drive positive change.”

“Comcast has been a proud supporter of Beach Sweeps since 2008 and hundreds of our employees have volunteered for the event as part of our Comcast Cares Day efforts. Clean Ocean Action does an amazing job of educating and engaging the public while building awareness of what it takes to keep our shoreline beautiful and our marine life healthy.  We love the Jersey shore and everything Clean Ocean Action does to protect it,” remarked Comcast Director of Community Investment Kimberly Smith.

Red Bank Regional High School Environmental Club at Sandy Hook

“Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite is pleased with our 13+ year partnership with Clean Ocean Action.  As an environmentally and community oriented business, ShopRite respects when an organization can bring about effective change by involving more and more community member volunteers each year,” explained Suzanne Forbes, Environmental Affairs Administrator, Corporate Communications, Wakefern Food Corporation.  “Historically, and recently due to the devastation brought on by Superstorm Sandy, the Beach Sweeps event brings about the improvement of an important ecological habitat, and the creation of a greener generation,” Forbes added.

County Sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, BD, Brook 35 & West, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, The Grove, and United Teletech Financial. Site Sponsors include Adventure Aquarium - Ocean City 59th Street Pavilion, Baine Contracting - Brick Beach I, Brookdale Community College – Ideal Beach, Enterprise Rent A Car - Sandy Hook, Kohl’s - Sandy Hook, New Jersey Natural Gas - Belmar 1st Avenue, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates - Loch Arbour/Allenhurst, Surfrider Foundation/Jersey Shore Chapter - Asbury Park North Beach, Surfrider Foundation/South Jersey Chapter - In Memory of Tommy Kraemer - Avalon.

Spring 2013 Beach Sweeps Highlights and Unusual Items Found:

• AmeriCorps volunteers at Asbury Park Convention Hall removed over 1,000 cigarette filters from the boardwalk.

• At the Atlantic City Beach Sweep location, the band Barenaked Ladies pitched in alongside a group of their fans, followed by a short acoustic performance by the band for the volunteers. This is one of several of their service projects with the environmental non-profit REVERB along their national tour.

• The combined 200 volunteers at Belmar 1^st Avenue and 16^th Avenue found a large amount of cigarette filters and small plastic pieces.

• 40 volunteers in Loch Arbour found a plastic bugle, bikini top and a rubber snake.

• Over 450 volunteers at Sandy Hook found a baby binky and a rat costume.

• At Toney’s Brook in Glen Ridge, volunteers found plastic hot dog, Costco card, shopping cart, metal window frame, very old wood and metal wheel, plastic furniture cover with zipper, various baseballs, Nerf balls and a Frisbee, many tiny liquor bottles and cigar wrappers.

• Over 50 volunteers in Union Beach, led by high school student Beach Captain Peter Donnelly, found a message in a bottle.

15th Annual Seaside Sunset, COA Celebrates Environmental Education Programs

L to R: Seaside Sunset Committee Member Debbie Disakis,
COA Executive Director Cindy Zipf and
Seaside Sunset Committee Chair Ann Gilmartin

Vibrant music, dedicated coastal supporters, and delightful food and drink from area businesses and local restaurants set the scene for the 15^th Annual Sunset event, a benefit for Clean Ocean Action (COA), Thursday, October 10 at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, NJ.  This year’s event supported Clean Ocean Action’s environmental education programs.

COA’s environmental education programs include Beach Sweeps, the largest grassroots environmental event in New Jersey with thousands of volunteers cleaning waterways up and down the coast.  Clean Ocean Action also holds a biannual Student Summit where students become marine scientists for a day and experience hands-on marine environmental education at Sandy Hook, NJ.  School presentations to students of all ages are an additional component of COA’s programs.

The Sunset event gathered supporters of Clean Ocean Action, including ocean enthusiasts, local organizations and corporate partners.  The evening’s menu included a delicious raw bar by Lusty Lobster Seafood Market & Catering, a unique spread of artisan cheeses by Sickles Market, and a buffet designed by McLoone’s Chef Joe Racioppi.  Music for dancing was provided by local favorites and long-time COA supporters - Thom White and The Rogues.  The event invitation featured an image from New Jersey native and dedicated COA ally Ryan Struck, an award-winning surfing photographer.

“Defending the ocean is serious work, but the Seaside Sunset is a fun way to support the ocean.  Fellow friends of the ocean gathered, enjoyed fabulous food from the sea, and had a rocking good time,” said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.   “Our education programs motivate people about how they can make a difference and become the solution to ocean pollution,” she added. 

Plymouth Rock Assurance enjoying the event

Seaside Sunset is sponsored by Plymouth Rock Assurance, The McManus Family, Shore Point Distributing Co., The Bailey Family, Litwin & Provence, LLC, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, and Guaranteed Plants & Florist. COA’s auction and raffles were filled with unique, ocean-friendly gifts and services with a focus on New York and New Jersey shops and restaurants.  

Fall Into Action for the Jersey Shore Beach Sweeps

Over 65 Locations from Cape May County to Middlesex County

-Saturday, October 19, 2013-

Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in the 28th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps as part of the Wave of Action on Saturday, October 19 at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore.  A complete list of cleanup locations and times can be found at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to continue to integrate Beach Sweeps into the Waves of Action program, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Catie Tobin, Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow.

The Beach Sweeps is much more than picking up trash, it’s about collecting data to help reduce sources of pollution.  Volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found.   The information collected at the Sweeps is analyzed and published into annual reports.  These reports help identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment, and inform local, state and international efforts to combat marine pollution. COA will release the 2013 Annual Beach Sweep report mid-April, just in time for the spring Beach Sweeps. All reports are available online at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

COA encourages participation from volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, families, and organizations. Volunteers are requested to pre-register by using the online sign-up form at www.CleanOceanAction.org.  Volunteers should wear gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes.  Volunteers can find a site near them from Cape May County to Middlesex County.  Click here for a complete list of sites.

A number of businesses partner with COA to sponsor the Beach Sweeps.  The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Aveda and Bank of America.

“Aveda’s focus on environmental leadership and responsibility has led to years of collaboration with Clean Ocean Action to protect clean water.  Our vision of connecting beauty, environment, and well-being is showcased through partnerships with local organizations like Clean Ocean Action.  We look forward to continuing to defend life’s most precious natural resource – water,” stated Aveda Earth Fund Director Katie Galloway.

“Through Beach Sweeps, our teams of volunteers have assisted in cleaning-up trash and debris on New Jersey beaches, lakes, rivers and streams,” said Bob Doherty, New Jersey president, Bank of America.  “Clean Ocean Action offers people a chance to improve their environment and be part of a global effort to drive positive change.”

Statewide Sponsors include Aveda and Bank of America.  County Sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, BD, Brook 35 & West, Comcast Cares, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, The Grove, TD Bank, Shoprite Wakefern and United Teletech Financial. Site Sponsors include Adventure Aquarium - Ocean City 59th Street Pavilion, Baine Contracting - Brick Beach I, Brookdale Community College - Middletown Bayshore Waterfront Park, Enterprise Rent A Car - Sandy Hook, Kohl’s - Sandy Hook, New Jersey Natural Gas - Belmar 1st Avenue, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates - Loch Arbour/Allenhurst, Surfrider Foundation/Jersey Shore Chapter - Asbury Park North Beach, Surfrider Foundation/South Jersey Chapter - In Memory of Tommy Kraemer - Avalon.

FUNdraise

Support Beach Sweeps: raise $100 and receive a special gift.

Start your fundraiser at http://www.crowdrise.com/BeachSweeps.

Beach Sweeps Intern Shares Her Experience with COA

Chelsea Dow - Beach Sweeps Intern

From Left to Right: COAST Intern Macailagh McCue,
 Beach Sweeps Intern Chelsea Dow and Science
and Policy Intern Rebecka Flynn at the
fracking wastewater ban rally in Trenton

"As my time with COA comes to an end, I look back on all the knowledge and experience I have gained working with an organization committed to protecting coastal environments. Working with COA and studying the issues currently plaguing our waterways has made my passion for the environment stronger. I look forward to bringing that passion for sustainability with me to my last year of college as an Environmental Studies major in NYC.

My time at COA was spent mainly organizing and running the Corporate Beach Sweeps program.  Businesses came to Sandy Hook for the day throughout the summer to help clean debris from the beach.  The employees were able to learn the importance of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle.’ I enjoyed explaining to them that their every day habits have a lasting effect on our shorelines and offering them solutions to minimize their impact on the environment. Cleaning debris was a rewarding experience for the businesses, and I was rewarded by being able to spread my knowledge about ocean pollution.

My internship with Clean Ocean Action also exposed me to New Jersey environmental politics. We traveled to Trenton, New Jersey, for a fracking wastewater ban rally and Long Beach, Long Island, for a public hearing about Port Ambrose. I had never before felt so empowered and proud of all the environmental organizations along the Jersey Shore speaking out against ocean industrialization. In the future, I'm going to use this newfound knowledge and confidence and continue to speak publically on environmental and social issues.

I can’t thank COA enough for all they have done for me. My internship has helped me discover new aspects of environmentalism that I may pursue in the future. After working on the corporate beach sweep program, I have discovered a passion for environmental education. I hope to possibly pursue this as a career, either by attending a masters program for outdoor education or finding a job in helping others see the beauty of nature. As I move forward, I will implement all I have learned this summer into my education, relationships, and future jobs! Thanks Team COA!"   

Chelsea Dow will complete her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies at Pace University in New York City in May 2014.

Life-long Environmentalist Continues Her Involvement with COA

Chelsea Dow - Pace University Class of 2014 - Coastal Environment Intern

I have always had an undeniable love for the environment since I was a kid. My parents taught me from an early age to respect the Earth and love all of its inhabitants. I grew up getting dirty in the mud and spending countless days on the Jersey shore beaches. I continued that passion through high school, volunteering with Clean Ocean Action and becoming a Student Ocean Advocate. I learned how important the coastal environment is to the world’s existence, and how quickly our beloved ocean’s future is in jeopardy. All environmental issues are important to me, but water seems to be a constant in my life, since the Atlantic Ocean helped raise me.

 I am now going into my senior year at Pace University in New York City with a major in environmental studies and a minor in peace and justice. Since being at Pace University, I have had the amazing opportunity to take advocacy to a whole new level. I wrote many papers on the Occupy Wall Street movement and participated in some of their environmentally focused rallies. Living in New York City has opened my eyes to numerous environmental issues, as well as the immense amount of people who truly strive for sustainability.

My last semester at school was spent abroad backpacking in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The program focused on community sustainability.  Through my travels, I learned an immense amount about the environment and how I can contribute to helping the natural world. Coming home from being abroad I had a fiery passion to continue learning about the environment, and also look for ways to help my community. Clean Ocean Action was the perfect fit, and since being here for close to two months I have learned a lifetime of information on policy, environmentalism, and advocacy! If you would like to reach me for more information my email is presentation@cleanoceanaction.org.

Battered Beaches Benefit from Beach Sweeps

BATTERED BEACHES BENEFIT FROM BEACH SWEEPS

Thousands of Volunteers Helped Restore NJ Beaches and Waterways after Superstorm Sandy – Annual Spring Beach Sweeps – Saturday, April 27

Coastal New Jersey – Today, thousands of volunteers hit the beaches to participate in Clean Ocean Action's (COA) 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore. Volunteers removed and catalogued each piece of debris to document ongoing pollution issues, making Beach Sweeps the first tally of debris since Superstorm Sandy.  Robust crowds were reported up and down the coast.

  

 This year, Beach Sweeps has been folded into Clean Ocean Action’s Wave of Action For The Shore program, a monthly volunteer initiative started in December 2012 to help the people, businesses, habitats and waterways of New York and New Jersey affected by Superstorm Sandy.  Beach Sweeps will be the first Wave of Action where data will be collected, a vital addition which will help inform citizens and elected officials of pollution problems after Superstorm Sandy.

“This is the first event where we will be collecting data from clean-up activities since Superstorm Sandy, said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf. “The outpouring of support from citizens has been inspiring, and we are looking forward to a great day,” she added.

The data collected today will be combined with data collected at the Fall Beach Sweep in October, and then analyzed and presented in an annual report. These annual reports identify pollution problems, educate citizens on the types and quantities of debris, aid legislators in passing and enforcing laws to protect the marine environment, and contribute to local and international efforts to combat marine pollution.  Clean Ocean Action released the 2012 Annual Beach Sweep Report last week (available at www.cleanoceanaction.org).

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to integrate the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps as part of the Waves of Action, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Program Manager. “Sandy hit the Jersey Shore hard and littered our beaches with a huge amount of debris,” added Danch.

Key to the program’s success are the Beach Captains that lead each of the Beach Sweeps locations. These dedicated volunteers manage the activities.

“Thank you to everyone who generously volunteers their time to the COA Beach Sweeps. Without your participation this event would not be such a success. This year, as a result of the devastation of Storm Sandy, your participation is needed more than ever,” said Asbury Park North Beach Captain Ann Abbate.

“More now than ever we need your support and sense of pride in your beach community,” explained Franz Adler Margate Beach Captain.  “We know Sandy knocked us down, but the true measure is how well we get back up,” he added.

“Thanks to Clean Ocean Action and all the many volunteers that care enough and come out to make a difference. I hope one day there will be no need for Beach Sweeps because our oceans and beaches will be clean,” remarked Middle School Student and Union Beach Captain Peter Donnelly.  “Until then you will find me cleaning our oceans and streams every chance I get,” he said.

The Spring Beach Sweeps were made possible by support from generous sponsors.  The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Atlantic City Electric, Aveda, BD, Brook 35 & West, Comcast, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, Wakefern/ShopRite, South Jersey Industries, TD Bank (South Jersey and Monmouth County Sponsor) The Grove at Shrewsbury and United Teletech Financial.

The Site Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Adventure Aquarium, Brookdale Community College, Enterprise Rent A Car, New Jersey Natural Gas, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates, Rotary Club International District 7510, Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Shore Chapter and Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter.

Spring 2013 Beach Sweeps Highlights and Unusual Items Found:

• Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy) – Volunteers found an unexploded ordnance! The county police and state police bomb squad response unit arrived on the scene.  

• Seaside Park  – Beach Sweepers found stuffed animals from the boardwalk, debris from the log flume ride, a sea horse, jawbone of a fish, toy saxophone and a piece of coal.  A coal barge was sunk off Seaside Park in 1903 and Superstorm Sandy has moved the barge around a bit and loosened the coal.  The Beach Captain at Seaside Park, John Peterson was given a Community Builder Award by Mayor Matthies for his involvement in Beach Sweeps for over 13 years.

• Atlantic Highlands – A record number of volunteers at Atlantic Highlands filled over 3 dumpsters full of debris.  The dumpsters were generously brought by Matt and Rich of J.H. Reid Construction based in South Plainfield, NJ.  The Harbor Master, John was also a huge help.

• Sandy Hook – Over 720 volunteers found a backpack full of personal belongings and enough lumber and debris to over fill the dumpster!  Senator Frank Pallone spoke on site as well.

• Atlantic City – Senator Jim Whelan joined volunteers and Atlantic City Electric President Vince Maione.

• Belmar 1^st Avenue – Over 150 Beach Sweepers found tiles from the old public restrooms of the Belmar boardwalk.

• Keansburg – 125+ volunteers found a lot of medical waste.

• Pt. Pleasant Beach, Maryland Avenue – Over 50 volunteers found a 55 gallon plastic drum syringe, cans, bottles, roofing and some dog poop!

• Wildwood, Poplar Avenue – 70+ Beach Sweepers found a hard drive, fake flowers, a boogie board and a welcome mat.

• Union Beach – Over 100 volunteers found a garden gnome and enjoyed an after party organized by Barefoot Wine.  Another after party was held down in North Wildwood.

• Sea Bright – A record number of volunteers came into Sea Bright today, so many that COA staff had to deliver more supplies!

Volunteers Find the Wild, the Wacky and the Weird During Beach Sweeps

Clean Ocean Action 2012 Annual
Beach Sweeps Report Released

A Citizen Call to Action for April 27, 2013

Photo Credit: Joe Sapia

Clean Ocean Action (COA) released the 2012 Beach Sweeps Report today, highlighting the Dirty Dozen, Roster of the Ridiculous, and the totals for over 90 items of marine debris collected by volunteers last year.  To view the Beach Sweeps Report online, click here.  

In 2012, 6,926 volunteers collected, tallied, and removed over 350,000 pieces of debris from NJ’s shoreline during Clean Ocean Action’s 27^th Annual Beach Sweeps.  The majority of the debris removed was disposable plastics—items designed to be used once and thrown away.  Plastic, including foam, represents 82.7% of the total waste found.  It is clear: disposable plastic items continue to litter beaches, threaten marine life, and impact water quality. 

The Beach Sweeps has become New Jersey’s largest environmental event with thousands of citizens combing nearly all 127 miles ocean coastline and bay beaches.  The spring event coincides with Earth Month to provide citizens with an educational, hands-on, meaningful, rewarding activity to make a real difference.

During these 28 years, over 100,000 citizens have collected over 5 million items, tabulated data, and created a legacy of information that is used to fight for better anti-litter programs and educate people about the harms caused by marine debris to the economy and wildlife.

The majority of the debris removed was disposable plastics including:

• 49,362 cigarette filters
• 22,308 straws and stirrers
• 38,349 caps and lids

Odd items collected, contributing to the "Roster of the Ridiculous" are:

• Earmuffs
• Hairclip with fake hair
• False eyelashes
• Shopping cart
• Fortune cookie
• Stuffed horse
• Magic wand
• Vampire teeth
• Ant trap
• Boomerang
• Brake shoes
• Baby shark toy
• Message in a bottle
• Wicker sofa
• Christmas lights
• Stove burner

Call to Action 2013

Want to be a part of Beach Sweeps? Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at over 60 sites along the Jersey Shore. 

To view the Beach Sweeps Report online visit, www.cleanoceanaction.org. For a complete list of site locations and details, please visit www.cleanoceanaction.org.

All volunteers must register through www.cleanoceanaction.org.  Volunteers should bring gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes.

Consider Taking your Beach Sweeping to the Next Level

Collect donations for your volunteer efforts and raise funds for COA's ocean protection work.  Raise $100 and receive Clean Ocean Action's popular ChicoBag made from recycled plastic bottles.  Teams can join the effort at http://www.crowdrise.com/BeachSweeps. 

[MEDIA ALERT] Clean Ocean Action Releases 2012 Annual Beach Sweeps Report

MEDIA ALERT

***For Immediate Release***

April 15, 2013

Contact:

Lindsay McNamara, Clean Ocean Action, Press Inquiries (732) 872-0111 (office)

Clean Ocean Action Releases 2012 Annual Beach Sweeps Report

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly featuring the Roster of the Ridiculous

WHO: Clean Ocean Action

WHEN: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 11:30 AM

WHAT: The release of the data results from the 2012 Annual Beach Sweeps. The data will highlight the trends, unusual items collected, and other observations from Clean Ocean Action’s 27^th Annual Beach Sweep.  The Beach Sweeps are a bi-annual statewide event that cleans New Jersey’s beaches and waterways. Volunteers record data on the items collected.

WHERE: Gazebo at Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ

WHY: Clean Ocean Action’s Annual Beach Sweep Reports provide evidence of local pollution problems and call citizens, elected officials, and corporations to action for pollution prevention initiatives.

Clean Ocean Action also invites citizens to participate in Clean Ocean Action’s 28^th  Annual Spring Beach Sweeps Saturday, April 27 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

###

Spring Into Waves of Action For The Shore

Citizens Called to Participate in 28th Annual
COA Beach Sweeps

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in 
the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday, April 27 at over 60 sites along the Jersey 
Shore. A complete list of cleanup locations and times can be found at www.ForTheShore.org.
This year’s event is in combination with the fifth Wave of Action, a program that is responding to the impacts of Superstorm Sandy and helping to improve and protect the marine environment through monthly volunteer actions.

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to integrate the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps as part of the Waves of Action, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Program Manager. “Sandy hit the Jersey Shore hard and littered our beaches with a huge amount of debris,” added Danch.

The Beach Sweeps is much more than picking up trash, it’s about collecting data to help reduce sources of pollution. Volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found. The information collected at the Sweeps is analyzed and published into annual reports.These reports helps identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment, and inform local and international efforts to combat marine pollution. COA will release the 2012 Annual Beach Sweep report mid-April, just in time for the spring Beach Sweeps. All reports are available on-line at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

“The Beach Sweeps is a 28 year tradition which provides citizens with a way to give back to the coast and to gather much needed information so we can reduce litter sources,” said Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director.

COA encourages participation from volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, 
families, and organizations. Volunteer are requested to pre-register by using the online sign-up form at www.ForTheShore.org. Volunteers should bring gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes. Click here for a complete list of sites. 

Thank you to the generous businesses that partner with Clean Ocean Action to sponsor and 
support the Beach Sweeps. Statewide Sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, Aveda, Comcast Cares, and Shoprite Wakefern. South Jersey Sponsors include South Jersey Industries and TD Bank. Monmouth County Sponsors include BD, Brook 35 & West, The Grove, TD Bank, and United Teletech Financial. 

Individual Site Sponsors include Adventure Aquarium - Ocean City 59th Street Pavilion, Brookdale Community College - Middletown Bayshore Waterfront Park, Enterprise Rent A Car -Sandy Hook, Montecalvo Recovery Facility - Sandy Hook, New Jersey Natural Gas - Belmar 1st Avenue, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates - Loch Arbour/Allenhurst, Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Shore Chapter - Asbury Park North Beach, Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter - In Memory of Tommy Kraemer – Avalon. Additional generous in-kind support provided by Montecalvo Recovery Facility, Rotary Club International District 7510, and Shoprite Wakefern.

Beach Sweeps participants also have the option to collect donations for volunteer efforts and 
raise funds for COA's ocean protection work. Those who raise $100 receive Clean Ocean 
Action's popular ChicoBag made from recycled plastic bottles. Teams and individuals can join 
the effort at http://www.crowdrise.com/BeachSweeps.