The proof of ocean passion is in the sweep — the resumption of the 36th Annual Clean Ocean Action (COA) Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday.

In getting back to a shore sense of normal, the Sweeps all the way down the Jersey coastline were met with more than 5,500 volunteers who worked at 67 sites from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to haul debris off the beaches.

Beach captains trained volunteers to properly remove, and tabulate the harmful debris found on the beaches from Bergen to Cape May counties. 

Among the most harmful refuse is plastic, which can harm or even kill marine life. Since 1984, data collected from the Sweeps shows that one trend is unequivocal: single-use plastic items are on the rise. 

The newest offender is COVID-19 personal protection equipment (PPE). In that category alone, on the most northern site, Sandy Hook, initial data collection showed that 63 disposable face masks, eight reusable face masks,16 disposable gloves, and 27 disposable wipes were collected. 

Preliminary data from Sandy Hook showed that 175 volunteers cleaned the following amounts of top five items:

Below are preliminary results from Sandy Hook collected by 175 volunteers, including the top five items: 

(1) 4,254 food/candy wrappers/bags

(2) 3,797 plastic pieces

(3) 3,777 plastic bottle caps/lids

(4) 1,425 plastic straws/stirrers

(5) 1,019 foam pieces

The data becomes an evidence legacy to help COA and other work to reduce the sources of marine debris, especially plastics.   

Then there’s the COA Sweeps’ infamous Roster of the Ridiculous — the most unusual finds. Some of the items catalogued today included: traffic cone, plastic spider ring, mini fridge, toilet brush, dustpan, measuring spoon, GI Joe doll, dentures, cassette tapes.

The data collected from all sites becomes a legacy of evidence to help COA and other work to reduce the sources of marine debris, especially plastics.   

Check out Saturday’s progress with a glimpse into the Sweeps’ various sites, courtesy of Clean Ocean Action …

Bayshore Waterfront Park Beach Sweeps

“It is a fantastic day for the ocean.

The amazing turnout for the Spring Sweeps is testament to the love and commitment people have for a clean ocean!

Everyone complied with safety rules, many brought buckets and all removed thousands of items, mostly plastic from the beach.

The data they collected will help us continue to make progress to reduce marine debris.”

Cindy Zipf, executive director, Clean Ocean Action.

Belmar Beach Sweeps

Each Beach Sweeps provides a snapshot of what is found on nearly every beach from Perth Amboy to Cape May and beyond. Over the years, this data suggests trends. The single-use plastics trend is reflected in the new 2021 data card, which includes more plastic items than ever.

Click here to view and download the new Data Card

“COA’s Beach Sweeps data card acts as a time capsule for litter found on our beaches. The 2021 update to the data card represents the unsettling reality that people continue to invent new ways to waste and pollute.” Alison Jones, Watershed Program Coordinator, Clean Ocean Action, said. “Now, the majority of items on the data card are plastic, including many of our newly added debris items, the ‘Ocean Offenders:’ e-cigarette cartridges/caps/pens, cotton swab sticks, dental floss picks, disposable wipes, face masks, and disposable gloves,” 

Lavallette Beach Captains Anita Zalom and Dave Finter with new data card in hand

“The data collected by the thousands of dedicated volunteers up and down the coast is one part of the amazing story of the Beach Sweeps. When the data is put to work in the form of advocacy for better policies and laws to reduce pollution sources, it makes the Beach Sweeps a legacy of action that benefits communities, wildlife, the economy, and the environment,” Kari Martin, Advocacy Campaign Manager, Clean Ocean Action, said. “The data has turned hours of hard work removing litter from our shorelines into meaningful and impactful state and federal laws, as well as municipal ordinances. That is a sweeping success.” 

Debris collected in buckets at the Spring Lake Beach Sweeps

Beach Sweeps help reduce debris from entering waterways, where they become harmful and even lethal to aquatic life. The data from the Beach Sweeps turns a one-day event into a legacy of information to improve public awareness, change wasteful habits, enforce litter laws and improve policies to reduce sources of marine debris. Marine debris is a human caused, human solved issue. 

Pull tab found at Bayshore Waterfront Park Beach Sweeps

Junior Beach Captain Jordan with Assistant Brianna at the Belmar Beach Sweeps. The Junior Beach Captain program is made possible thanks to generous support from OceanFirst Foundation.

COA’s volunteer beach captains are there to direct to the hub of volunteers and individual participates at each site. These captains lead the clean-up effort.

The Sanura Family: Three generations of Beach Sweepers

“Since our first time as beach captains a few years ago, we’ve learned about how much waste ends up on our beaches and waterways and how much that waste can end up in food sources and effect our lives,” said Sanura, James, and Lincoln McKairnes, volunteer beach captains. “We volunteer as captains because we want to make sure that where we live and play is better for the ones that are coming after us, so that they can cherish what we have left for generations to come.” 

“Protecting our natural resources and open spaces is important to both of us. As residents of a popular beach town, we see the effect that large crowds can have on our stretch of beach and ocean,” said Avon-by-the-Sea beach captains, Troy and Angela Romanowski. “Our involvement in Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps has evolved over the past few years, from participating as volunteers at the site in Avon-By-The-Sea, to serving as Captains for our town’s Beach Sweeps location. We have seen the event grow in our community, and it is great to see people of all ages come out to clean up the beach in the town where they live or the beach that they visit in the summer. We have had about 100 people participate at our site in the Spring and Fall in each of the past few years. People are always surprised that, even on a seemingly clean, well-maintained beach, there is still a lot of trash and recyclables that need to be picked up, and our volunteers have expressed interest in more frequent activities of this kind. New Jersey’s beaches are great, but need some regular TLC.” 

Wildwood Beach Captain Jess Mumford with her siblings

Clean Ocean Action gives thanks to its sponsors …

For over 35 years, Clean Ocean Action has organized grassroots volunteer Beach Sweeps across the state.  These dedicated organizations have provided vital funding so that COA can execute and expand the Sweeps. COA also recognizes and thanks all the companies who have supported the event over the years. Clean Ocean Action is grateful for the support of the sponsors and is inspired by all that they do to support our communities.

— Edited press release from COA. Photos/COA

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