Thousands of volunteers join to cleanup beaches across New Jersey

In a remarkable display of community and environmental stewardship, thousands of volunteers gathered at over 80 beaches and waterways across New Jersey for Clean Ocean Action’s 39th Spring Beach Sweeps.

Despite challenging weather conditions, including brisk winds and intermittent rain showers, volunteers arrived in record numbers, armed with buckets and determination to clean up harmful litter and collect vital data.

The event, touted as New Jersey’s largest volunteer environmental effort, saw participation from a diverse range of volunteers, including individuals representing organizations, civic groups, businesses, scout troops, and schools. Volunteers braved the elements and worked tirelessly to remove tens of thousands of items from beaches and waterways, spanning from Essex County to Cape May County.

Kira Cruz, Clean Ocean Action’s Debris Free Sea Coordinator and coordinator of the Beach Sweeps, expressed gratitude and pride in the volunteers’ efforts.

“Every day leading up to the Beach Sweeps with planning and prep is well worth it to know the impact each person is making for the state of New Jersey as well as for the environment during this event,” Cruz stated.

Despite challenges such as heavy rainfall and gale winds in the days leading up to the Sweeps, volunteers remained undeterred, demonstrating remarkable tenacity and dedication to protecting New Jersey’s beaches and ocean.

COA Executive Director Cindy Zipf commended the volunteers and Beach Captains for their heroic efforts in safeguarding and improving the coastal environment.

Some notable highlights from the event included a strong turnout of approximately 400 volunteers at Sandy Hook, students from Newark and various high schools participating enthusiastically, and the involvement of scout groups, community organizations, and municipal support across the state.

One of the unique features of the Beach Sweeps is the “Roster of the Ridiculous,” a section in COA’s data analysis that highlights some of the most unusual items found during the cleanup. This spring, items like a sneaker, an old statue, a toy piggy, and a crab trap made it onto the Ridiculous list, showcasing the diverse range of debris removed from New Jersey’s shores.

The success of the Beach Sweeps would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of Volunteer Beach Captains, Junior Beach Captains, and municipal support from various departments, councils, and mayors.

These individuals and groups played a crucial role in promoting, organizing, and executing the Sweeps at local levels, ensuring a smooth and impactful event.

Clean Ocean Action expressed gratitude to sponsors for their vital support in making the Beach Sweeps a resounding success.

As New Jersey’s beaches emerge cleaner and more pristine, thanks to the hard work of volunteers and stakeholders, the spirit of community and environmental responsibility continues to thrive, paving the way for a healthier ocean and coastal ecosystem for generations to come.