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Beach Clean-up 2006
The Beach Sweeps were first started in 1985 at Sandy Hook with only 75 volunteers. Today the bi-annual event includes sites at beaches, rivers, lakes and streams across New Jersey.
Since 2000, Panasonic has proudly supported Clean Ocean Action at its Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Sweeps events.
In 2005, Panasonic employees joined over 6,656 volunteers who collected and categorized 92,000 pounds (45.6 tons) of debris and litter scattered across the Jersey shore. Plastics and foam made up over 80% of the wastes collected, with plastic lids and caps accounting for 20,790 pieces. These types of wastes can be lethal for birds, sea turtles, whales, and dolphins when they are ingested or the animals become entangled.
April 29, 2006, marked the 21st anniversary of the Sweeps and our enthusiastic volunteers once again donned their cleanup gear. They combed the bayside shores in pairs, separating recyclables from trash and categorizing them on tally sheets. The data collected during these cleanups will be used to educate citizens about the dangers associated with marine debris and motivate them to reduce ocean pollution by identifying solutions that protect and clean up our waters. These data provide important information about the type of beach debris found on New Jersey’s shores. It also helps to identify and monitor pollution trends and assist lawmakers in writing strong and enforceable laws to make NJ’s beaches litter free.
As you can see from the chart below the combined efforts of all volunteers have helped the environment by ridding the beaches of approximately 196 tons of unsightly debris. Plastics accounted for almost 70% of the total collected.
Beach Sweeps Collection Event Data 2000 ~ 2005 |
Panasonic employees along with those of other organizations have helped rid the beaches of approximately 196 tons of unsightly debris |
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Year |
Spring/Fall Volunteers * |
# of items collected |
Tons of Debris Collected |
Plastics |
Foam Plastic |
Glass |
Others |
2000 |
4,260 |
212,000 |
28.60 |
66.73% |
9.49% |
5.29% |
18.41% |
2001 |
5,136 |
243,485 |
37.80 |
68.02% |
8.78% |
5.03% |
18.17% |
2002 |
4,037 |
221,742 |
29.80 |
69.90% |
9.75% |
5.05% |
15.30% |
2003 |
4,622 |
242,714 |
32.60 |
69.15% |
7.82% |
4.52% |
18.51% |
2004 |
6,656 |
338,423 |
45.60 |
70.55% |
9.03% |
4.12% |
16.30% |
2005 |
2,769 |
160,831 |
21.60 |
72.02% |
9.58% |
3.85% |
14.55% |
Total |
27,480 |
1,419,195 |
196.00 |
69.40% |
9.08% |
4.64% |
16.87% |
* Participating organizations included schools, civic, environmental, government, businesses and scouting groups. |
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If you would like more information on how to get involved in a future Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps Event please visit their website at CleanOceanAction.org. Together, we can all make a difference.
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