Clean Ocean Action

There were fewer diapers and condoms collected from New Jersey beaches in 2021 compared to years past, but across just six hours last year, volunteers for Clean Ocean Action collected a record 513,605 pieces of debris from the state's shoreline.

"It's a general problem, not just a coastal problem," said Sylvia Kay, of Sierra Club New Jersey.

Volunteers are needed for Clean Ocean Action's 37th Annual spring beach sweeps taking place on Saturday, April 9.

The legislation signed into law, which takes effect in two years, is intended to reduce virgin plastic use, and is expected by environmentalists to make New Jersey an East Coast leader on the issue.

Only a few of the litter hot spots are accessible and safe for folks willing to clean up the mess.

Remi, a black Labrador mix is a scent-detection dog who, with her power to sniff out human waste, has helped improve the water quality of Barnegat Bay.

Clean Ocean Action's 36th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps is October 23rd and volunteers are still needed.

Among the other findings that made Clean Ocean Action's "Roster of the Ridiculous" were a kitty litter scoop, cocktail shaker, AirPods, a foam Halloween tombstone, and a New Year's Eve party hat.

Clean Ocean Action is holding its fall beach sweeps later this month to help rid the beaches free of litter and debris that can harm marine life.

While many municipalities in the Garden State have tackled the issue on their own, a proposed law introduced recently would implement a statewide ban on the intentional release of balloons into the sky.