DOWNBEACH - In an effort to eliminate pollution and raise awareness of the effects of litter on sea creatures and the ocean, Downbeach towns will be participating in Clean Ocean Action’s semi-annual Beach Sweeps, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 18.
Atlantic County locations are:
• Atlantic City - S. Florida Avenue, 2401 Boardwalk; S.. Albany Avenue, 199 S. Albany Ave.; S Connecticut Avenue, meet on Boardwalk and move north to S. New Hampshire Avenue
• Brigantine - 17th Street Beach, South, Brigantine Beach Patrol, 1700 17th St.
• Longport - 33rd and Atlantic avenues, 3210 Atlantic Ave.
• Margate - Granville Avenue,101 S. Huntington Ave.
• Ventnor City - Newport Ave Beach, Community Building, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
Data cards will be distributed to volunteers to record the types of litter they find on the beach. Data collected during the one-day event identifies the sources of pollution and monitors current trends. The information is submitted to the Ocean Conservancy and is posted on an international database of marine debris.
During last year’s beach sweep at 83 New Jersey sites, 6,835 volunteers, including K-12 students, youth groups, green teams, residents and visitors removed 276,899 items from beaches across the state.
Plastic debris accounted for 83.02% of the items collected. The Dirty Dozen or most commonly found items, such as plastic cap rings, cigar tips, straws, balloons, reflect the dominance of plastic in the environment. However, the cleanups recorded the lowest-ever amount of plastic shopping bags at 1.02% and a reduction in most commonly found items as a result of statewide awareness campaigns.
Registration is required in advance to participate in the beach sweep. Dress for the weather and wear protective clothing.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at their selected beach location at 9 a.m. and check in with the beach captain on site. Participants are not required to pick up any debris that can be potentially hazardous.
Hand sanitizer will be available and trash bags, recycling bags, data cards and pencils will be provided. Volunteers may bring their own masks, work gloves, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and individual hand sanitizer.
Individuals can register online at https://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=aboutbeachsweeps
For more information, see CleanOceanAction.org.
Copyright Fideri News Network 2025
