(the following content is from GOOD’s GOOD Instructions: Enjoying the Beach—Without Ruining It, which gives instructions on being green while on the beach. Please click the link to read more on ways to make your beach experience a greener one.)
We’re a messy bunch. Last year, almost half a million people collected 10.2 million pieces of debris worldwide—about 15 pounds of junk each. And before you blame ocean pollution, consider this: About 64 percent of the debris came from land-based activities like beach trips, recreation, and picnics. With that in mind, here are a few easy ways to enjoy the beach this summer without contributing to the problem.
Carpool or ride your bike to the beach. Quite often parking and traffic at the beach can be a headache, so try to ride your bike, take a train, or walk. If it’s too far, carpool with your friends to reduce pollution and save on gas and money.
Pick up after yourself and others. Between the kids running around and the wind blowing, it’s easy to lose track of things and leave behind trash. So be sure to be thorough in your cleanup. Bring a separate bag for your waste in case there isn’t a trash or recycling bin available. If you see another person leave behind garbage, do mother nature a favor and pick it up.
Carry a reusable bag or cooler. Bring your lunch, blanket, dinnerware, radio, sunscreen, and book in a reusable clothe tote or cooler. Avoid styrofoam coolers and plastic or paper bags. Of the 10 million plus pieces of debris collected last year during the coastal cleanup, over 66 percent were plastic bags, food wrappers and containers, caps, cups, lids, straws, forks, knives, spoons, plates, paper bags, and beverage bottles.
Don’t smoke at the beach (or ideally, at all). Almost 2.2 million pieces of the debris found in the coastal cleanup last year were cigarettes and cigarette filters. That’s over 21 percent of all the debris collected.
Let’s do our share to make our beach experience less toxic, more green and more fun!
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