The numbers are in for September’s Coastal Cleanup
The 30th annual DNREC-sponsored Delaware Coastal Cleanup drew 1,567 volunteers. They collected 3.8 tons of trash from 47 sites along more than 75 miles of Delaware’s waterways and coastline stretching from Wilmington to Fenwick Island.
About one-quarter of that trash was recyclables – mostly aluminum cans and glass or plastic beverage bottles.
“In addition to marring the natural beauty of our beaches and waterways, trash is dangerous to marine life and unhealthy for water quality,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Each year, the Coastal Cleanup helps make a difference for marine life and water quality – and it’s the hundreds of dedicated volunteers, many of whom come back year after year, who make the Cleanup an annual environmental success story.”
Some of the more unusual items found during this year’s cleanup were: a parmesan cheese shaker, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a vacuum cleaner and 205 liquor bottles. Volunteers also found a large heavy rug, a Big Wheel tire, cooler, a toy bulldozer and Mardi Gras beads.
Statewide, volunteers also picked up 16,158 cigarette butts, up from last year’s total of 13,577, and 933 balloons, an increase from 654 last year. They also collected 397 fireworks, 289 spent shotgun shells and 2,671 plastic bags.
Delaware’s next Coastal Cleanup is set for Saturday, September 15, 2018.
Registration will be posted on DNREC’s website at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/Pages/Delaware-Coastal-Cleanup.aspx next July, with groups of 10 or encouraged to pre-register beginning May 1 by calling 302-739-9902 or emailing Delaware Coastal Cleanup Coordinator Joanna Wilson at Joanna.wilson@state.de.us.
