The 2001 International Coastal Cleanup: Volunteers around the world work together to clean up our environment

The Ocean Conservancy
Monday, 10 September 2001

On September 15, The Ocean Conservancy is kicking off the 16th annual International Coastal Cleanup at beaches, rivers, and waterways across the world. Every year, nearly a million volunteers spend three hours on the third Saturday of September combing the beaches for shiny wrappers, discarded cigarette filters, deflated balloons, and other pieces of litter. They clean up the trash that pollutes our waters, harms marine life, hampers tourism, and poses health risks for beach-goers.

Last year, 850,000 volunteers combed over 20,000 miles of beaches, rivers, and lakes, hauling in over 13.5 million pounds of trash. "Each year the number of volunteers grows as people realize the problem of marine debris and become active in their communities, searching for workable solutions," says Roger Rufe, President of The Ocean Conservancy. "With over half of America's population living within 50 miles of the coast, the problems caused by marine debris are right in their backyard."

The Ocean Conservancy has been working for nearly 30 years to ensure that our oceans provide a healthy environment for an abundant and diverse population of marine animals. To date, people in more than 100 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories have participated in the Cleanup, helping to rid their shorelines, oceans, rivers, lakes, and other waterways of tons of marine debris.

Volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup record every piece of trash they collect on detailed data cards. The cards are compiled, analyzed, and tracked year by year, revealing possible patterns in marine debris in a region or country. "Cleanup data reports have influenced public policy on waste management, prompted legislation, and convinced individuals, organizations, and communities to reexamine their waste handling practices," Rufe notes.

The amount of trash collected during the 2000 Cleanup gives us an idea of the hazards marine wildlife face daily with marine debris. More than a million cigarette butts and nearly 300,000 plastic bags could have been ingested. Thirty thousand pieces of fishing line, 15,000 six-pack holders, and 72,000 ropes could have entangled unsuspecting animals. Each piece of debris that enters the ocean or waterway has the potential to injure or kill marine life.

In 2000, volunteers found over 370 entangled animals. Birds and mammals are the most affected by discarded fishing gear, balloon ribbons and strings, plastic, and other floating debris. They often mistake it for food. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Fishing line or other debris that is wrapped around fins or flippers can cause circulation loss and eventual amputation as the animal grows, or worse — strangulation.

Most (60.2%) of the debris found during the 2000 Cleanup was attributed to land based sources such as beach picnics, inappropriate or illegal dumping, and general littering. Simply stated, the source of all debris is human activity. Rufe says, "If we can make small, everyday changes in our behavior, such as recycling more, making sure to put trash in its proper place, not pouring pollutants down storm drains or throwing your cigarettes out car windows, we can make a huge difference in the problem of marine debris."

Volunteers are the reason for the success of the International Coastal Cleanup. "We couldn't mount this effort every year and meet with the success we've had if it wasn't for our coordinators and the dedicated volunteers that come out every year to clean up their communities," says Rufe. "These are the folks that are making a real difference for future generations. We hope even more come out this year to help preserve our wild, healthy oceans."

To find a cleanup site near you call 1-800-262-BEACH or log onto our website at www.oceanconservancy.org.

For more information, or to contact The Ocean Conservancy, see their website at: www.oceanconservancy.org