Time to start planning your fall community Beach Sweep

Local organizations, families and residents are encouraged to participate in Clean Ocean Action’s upcoming Beach Sweep being held 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in Downbeach communities.

Volunteers are needed to sweep the beach of trash and debris left over from the summer beach season.

More than 80 beach sweeps will be held along the New Jersey coastline, including in Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport.

• Atlantic City S. Albany Avenue at the Boardwalk; S. Florida Avenue at the Boardwalk
• Brigantine S. 17th Street at Brigantine Beach Patrol
• Longport 33rd and Atlantic avenues
• Margate Granville Avenue beach
• Ventnor City Newport Avenue beach Community Building

Volunteers are asked to bring their own bucket and work gloves. Each municipality will provide registration services and instructions and provide volunteers with collection cards to record what they find on the beach.

Data collected is compiled to determine sources of pollution and monitor trends and promote solutions to beach litter. Data may also be used to forward legislation that protects the ocean, such as the beach smoking ban. The most recent annual report indicates that nearly 80% of all debris collected is made out of some form of plastic.

    Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep Dirty Dozen chart shows the most contamination of the ocean and beaches comes from plastic products.
  

Volunteers must be registered to participate. Register in advance https://cleanoceanaction.org/beach-sweeps or on Saturday morning at the registration site, where you will be asked to fill out a waiver form. Family members and groups must register individually. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Check in and registration is at 9 a.m.

    Longport/Volunteers collect trash along the bulkhead where it is difficult for machinery to get to.
  

Volunteers are instructed not to pick up anything that makes them uncomfortable. Volunteers are not required or expected to pick up potentially hazardous debris. Alert the Beach Captain about safety concerns. Beach Captains will supply trash and recycling bags, data cards and pencils. Hand sanitizer will be available. To reduce the use of plastic bags, volunteers are asked to bring a repurposed bucket.

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. It is advisable to bring a reusable water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and a positive attitude.

The next Beach Sweep will be held in spring of 2025.

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