COASTSWEEP Aims to Clean Up Local Shores

Craigville Beach Trash 6/16/16

BARNSTABLE – Thousands of volunteers will assist in a worldwide effort in the next few weeks to preserve natural resources and protect marine animals from harm.

State officials have kicked off the 30^th year of COASTSWEEP beach cleanups. The initiative recruits local volunteers to take part in large scale cleanups at various local beaches.

Communications Manager of the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ann Donovan said the trash they pick up is then analyzed for more informed future policymaking.

“It helps us to promote litter prevention techniques and help keep these materials off of our beaches,” she said.

The data is then sent to a database at the Ocean Conservancy.

Pieces of plastics, even those as small as a grain of rice, can injure or kill marine species like seabirds, seals, turtles and more. They can also do harm to people and boats.

On Saturday, September 17, multiple towns will hold cleanups, including: Provincetown, Wareham, Chatham and Nantucket.

On September 20^th, Falmouth will hold a cleanup at John’s Pond or Old Silver Beach.

A cleanup will take place on September 24^th at Town Neck Beach in Sandwich, on the 25^th at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, on October 1 in Wareham, October 10 in Wellfleet and October 15 at Town Neck Beach in Sandwich.

For more information on the cleanups, locations, times, or to host a private event, visit www.mass.gov/czm/coastsweep.