Clean Ocean Action to host New Jersey beach sweeps

Clean Ocean Action is organizing its annual fall New Jersey Beach Sweeps this Saturday, October 24th, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. The event will take place at 15 beaches across Atlantic, Cape May, and lower Ocean counties, part of a larger effort covering 80 beaches along the New Jersey coast.

Since 1985, the initiative has grown to include over 176,000 volunteers who have removed 8.7 million pieces of debris from the shores. Volunteers are asked to register online and bring gloves and a trash bucket. Participants will also document the types of trash collected to help inform prevention efforts.

Commonly found items include plastic bottles, cigarette butts, e-cigarette cartridges, and plastic cutlery. Recent increases in debris include reusable bags and dental floss picks. Notable locations for the sweep include Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Longport, Avalon, and Cape May, though Atlantic City sweeps have been canceled.