Jack and Friends Lent a Hand on International Coastal Clean-Up Day

Around the world nearly nine million volunteers from 152 countries and locations cleaned 145 million pounds of trash from the shores of lakes, rivers, and the ocean. 323.5 lbs of trash was collected from Haleiwa, Hawaii’s Ali’i Beach Park clean-up alone, including 5,095 cigarette butts!

Jack and other volunteers got to be scientist for a day, tallying the debris they collected. Jack said this scientific documentation was his favorite part! The goal was not just to remove the trash from the beaches, but to identify the sources of marine debris, and change the behaviors that allow it to reach the ocean in the first place. In 2009, results showed that 60% of the debris collected consisted of single use, disposable items including 1.1 million plastic bags. There are many simple things we can all do to reduce plastic waste.

Strive to be plastic free!

• Carry your own reusable bag and water bottle wherever you go.
• Choose plastic free packaging and say no to bottled water.
• Support legislation that reduces single use plastics.

Learn more about marine debris and plastic free initiatives, visit these All At Once Non-Profit Partner sites: Ocean Conservancy, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, 5 Gyres, Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Surfrider Rise Above Plastics, and GreenPlate.

Consider hosting your own Clean Seas Party, Visit Ocean Conservancy’s Keep the Coast Clear website to learn more.