Delaware Sweeps Reveal Extent of Plastic Plague

Clean Ocean Action’s Delaware Sweeps program, initiated in 2016, continues to target litter accumulation “hot-spots” along the tidal portions of the Delaware River in an effort to reduce land-based sources of pollution. Compared to average Beach Sweeps data, these Delaware sites often have much higher percentages of plastic, and the most recent Delaware Sweep was no exception. At the cleanup held on June 16 along Lamberton Road in Trenton, 13 volunteers removed 2,525 pieces of debris. Of that debris, over 96% was comprised of plastic. Among the most common items (plastic beverage bottles and foam pieces), volunteers also uncovered more unusual items including a Christmas ornament, gas tank, cable box, bike pedal, and lawn mower.