Our Daily Ocean: Day 246

Memorial Day weekend is considered the official start of beach season.  It's also the start of what any of us who clean the beach would call the "trashing of the beach".  Beach goers come in droves for their moment at the beach... and they live in the experience... but somehow a sad majority forget to respect and protect this natural wonder that they rush to visit.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the beach on Memorial Day (I heard the horror stories of trash lined beaches)... but I did make it out to Wrightsville Beach on Saturday evening to do a beach clean up with Bonnie Monteleone and her daughter Tricia (not pictured).

Bonnie is a good friend and a local environmental hero of mine.  Her nonprofit-- Plastic Ocean Project-- educates through field research, implements progressive outreach initiatives and is currently working on 5 solutions to address the global plastic pollution problem.  Plus she created an eye-openning art exhibit entitled "What Goes Around, Comes Around" that will be traveling across the US this summer and throughout the rest of 2014 (and hopefully beyond).  

AND... yes, there's more... for  Jack Johnson's All At Once campaign during his recent tour (happening now!), Plastic Ocean Project was chosen to be a partner to receive direct and matching donations from the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation!  Any donations made now through September 1, 2014... Jack Johnson will MATCH (doesn't matter if the donation is $1 or $100)!  

Learn more about Plastic Ocean Project (POP) and how to donate here.

Are you ready for the run down of what Bonnie and I picked up during Saturday's beach cleanup?  Here we go... from most to least items found!

Cigarette butts: 44 (this is a fantastic improvement!)

Food Wrappers: 28

Straws: 14

Toys: 10

Misc. plastics: 8

Caps: 3

Boogie boards/broken leash: 3

Zip ties: 3 (these are from the beach renourishment project)

Cups: 2

Clothing/eyeware: 2

Plasticware: 1

See the common problem?  ... PLASTIC.  Plastic. plastic....  

May 24, 2014 at Access 36

Litter by weight: 1 lb 7.1 oz

Cigarette butts: 44

Total amount of cigarette butts removed: 57,932

Plastic-Free Presentations in Greensboro & Wilmington, NC

For the past several years, I have been striving to reduce the amount of plastic that my family uses, recycles and throws away.  It's something that I was motivated to do after reading the article "Our Oceans are Turning Into Plastic... Are We?".  And then once I began doing consistent beach clean ups and documenting the (mostly plastic) litter I found on my local beach, my commitment to eliminating plastics strengthened even more.  I've been sharing bits of what I do to reduce our plastic usage and this week, I will be sharing my story and personal tips to using less plastic at two different presentations-- Greensboro & Wilmington, NC-- with author Beth Terry and plastic researcher Bonnie Monteleone!

About the presentations:

Author Beth Terry will share her journey from self-confessed plastic addict to empowered plastic-free activist and explain why we can't just recycle our way out of this mess.  She'll be joined by Wilmington mom Danielle Richardet, whose own quest to live a more plastic-free life led her to become involved in a successful campaign to keep cigarette butts off her local beach.  Danielle will tell her story and share tips on ways to get kids involved in reducing plastic use.  Special guest Bonnie Monteleone will briefly share her findings and experiences from traveling nearly 10,000 nm collecting over 200 ocean surface samples looking for plastics in four oceans.  With scientists and activists, her research looks at plastics floating in some of the most remote regions in the world and why it matters.  Beth Terry's book, Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too will be available for purchase and signing at the end of the event.

Ready to learn what one person can do to be part of the solution?  Join us!

March 9: Greensboro, NC at Kathleen Clay Library from 10am - noon 

March 11: Wilmington, NC at UNCW Lumina Theater from 7-9pm

Also, the opening reception for Bonnie's art exhibit What Goes Around, Comes Around is on March 8 from 7-8 at Guilford College in Greensboro.  I saw Bonnie's exhibit back in 2011, and was completely in awe of what she created.  Read more here.

Our Daily Ocean: Day 132

For me, there is no better place than the beach.  It doesn't really matter what I'm doing there... I always love it.  I love the sounds of shorebirds and crashing waves... I love the smell of the salty air... I love the sand between my toes... I love love love it all... for everything it has always been and for everything it will be... and so I go to the beach to protect what I love.

For the past 132 non-consecutive days, I have gone to Wrightsville Beach and taken 20 minutes to pick up litter.  It's not something I view as a chore or an obligation.  It's something that I do as a commitment to the place I love because it's the right thing to do.  And so I have given thanks to the ocean, waves and Wrightsville Beach by removing 44,036 cigarette butts and over 261 pounds of litter with the help of my family and friends.

Bonnie and Ginger posing with a garden rake we found!

Tomorrow, I will go back to the Town of Wrightsville Beach and present to them (once again) the work that I continue to do at Wrightsville Beach.  I will be there wearing blue to show my continued support for the proposed ordinance to ban smoking on the beach strand.  As you know, Sara and I have been comparing how many cigarette butts we pick up in 20 minutes.  Sara is in Santa Monica where smoking is banned on the beach.  If anyone ever doubted whether or not smoke-free beaches work to help reduce cigarette litter... Sara and I are removing all doubt.  Here's where our comparisons are now:

9 beach clean ups-- 105 cigarette butts in Santa Monica

9 beach clean ups-- 2,784 cigarette butts in Wrightsville Beach


Come out to the WB Board of Alderman meeting at WB Town Hall at 6PM to show your support for helping eliminate the number one littered item on the beach strand.  Come wearing blue and support Smoke-Free WB!

20 minutes on April 10, 2012 at Access 15

Litter by weight: 3 lbs 9.4 oz

Cigarette butts: 380

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 132 days:

44,036

More Than Resolutions Revisited

Last year--as 2010 ended and 2011 began-- I began thinking about what I wanted to commit myself to for the year.  You see... 2010 was absolutely ah-mazing.  I had won the FilterForGood Film Project and began to "see" exactly what I was supposed to be doing.  I wanted 2011 to be the year that I gave back for all of the amazing things that had happened in 2010.  So...  having a thing (err... obsession?) with the number 5... I decided that I would make 5 resolutions (or commitments) for the new year.

Now that we're well into 2012... I think it's about time that I shared how my 2011 "More Than Resolutions" went....

1.  Join Surfrider.  Yeah, we became members right away.  Connected to our local chapter and made sure to attend all events.  BUT... we didn't stop there.  My husband and I both are now on the executive board of our local chapter-- Cape Fear Surfrider.   We're really loving taking an active role in helping create change and being part of a community of people who care about the same things that we do!!

Learn more about Surfrider Foundation here.

2.  Collect our plastic waste EVERY week for 2011.  And I did.  Every week I had a (small) pile of plastic sitting on my countertop to share on My Plastic Free Life "Plastic Trash Challenge."  I didn't hide it away in a cabinet... I left it in plain sight as a reminder of where I was.  Some weeks were AWESOME... others... not so much.  There are definitely some things that we can improve on... but we're getting better... and that's what is most important.  After a year of collecting our plastic, we have nearly perfected eating out and avoiding plastic and SO much more.  This year, I plan to share more of what we're doing to reduce the amount of plastic we use... and in turn reduce MORE!

Check out my plastic tallies for the year here: Plastic Trash Challenge >> Danielle 

Awesome outcome from collecting our plastic waste:  I've been asked to teach a "Plastic-Free Food" class at Tidal Creek Co-Op!  I'm super stoked to share some of how we're reducing our use of single-use disposable plastics and most importantly "why". :)

3.  Continue to support the efforts of Bonnie Monteleone.  If you've been reading this blog for awhile now... you know that I absolutely adore Bonnie.  She is a constant source of motivation and inspiration for me.  From traveling to research plastics in our ocean gyres to sharing what she's discovered through art... simply put she's amazing. So amazing incredible that she was chosen as a finalist in the global competition "In Search of Incredible".  Bonnie has big plans for this year, including traveling to the Indian Ocean.

Plus, we have some things we are going to be doing together and I can't wait to share them with everyone! :)



4. Become one of Wallace J. Nichols 100 Blue Angels.  We did this right away as well.  Then when it came time for my birthday in June, I asked that in lieu of gifts my friends and family donate to J.  We also took part of our California vacation and attended the 100 Blue Angels appreciation dinner.  It was a great time and we're so happy to contribute to a person who is such a strong voice for our oceans.

Learn more about the work J does and become one of his 100+ BlueAngels.



5. Ban the Bag Wilmington.  Ok, so we didn't ban the bag in 2011.  (I never thought we would.)  But, after writing a letter to Senator Goolsby regarding his sponsorship of a bill to repeal the OBX (that's Outer Banks) plastic bag ban, I got very involved in my local chapter of Surfrider (see #1)!  International Surfrider board member and local chapter Chair, Sean Ahlum, has given presentations at all of the beach towns and has garnered their support for a countywide plastic bag ban!  Now Sean and Bonnie are working side-by-side to garner even MORE support to ban the bag!  Community support is high for this to happen!  Ban the Bag Wilmington 2012??  I sure hope so!

Oh yeah... and thanks to my friends Kevin & Chris of Odysea Surf and Kiteboard School.... I totally learned how to surf!  (well... kind of... I can stand up on the board and ride a wave in.... that's surfing, right??)  ....and since I tried my legs at surfing in the summer and winter... I also learned that I'm not a fan of wetsuits or booties.  I like to feel the water... and well, I'm just a girl that always prefers to be barefoot.  Sooo.... I will only be surfing in the summer ;)

Happy 2012 everyone... here's to another year of giving back and making a difference.  May all the days of the year be filled with abundance... :)

Our Daily Ocean: Day 113

On Thursday evening, my husband and I went to the Wrightsville Beach Town Hall to show our support for our friends that were presenting "Smoke-Free Wrightsville Beach" to the Board of Aldermen.  The purpose of the presentations was to request a public hearing to revisit banning smoking on the beach strand.  After what seemed like the longest process to vote on having a public hearing added to the agenda... (including a strong motion to not have it on the agenda... grr).... a public hearing to "BAN SMOKING" on Wrightsville Beach is on the agenda for March 8!!!  <--- Mark your calendars!!!!

As I would imagine everyone knows... I started this project specifically for this very reason.  I'm passionate about helping make Wrightsville Beach the first "Smoke-Free" beach in North Carolina!!  Solana Beach was the first in California... and now there are 38 other California municipalities that have followed suit.  Curious about California and other states that have banned smoking on their beaches??  Check out this list!!

Some may say, "Why ban smoking?  There's so much other litter on the beach."  Here's my take on it.  Sure, we find a lot of litter on the beach besides cigarette butts... BUT... and this is a big 'but'... as many times as we've been to the beach... we have never picked up more _________ than cigarette butts.  As we passed the 38,000 mark today, I can attest to the simple fact that in 113 clean ups we have not picked up 38k of anything else.  The most littered item worldwide... this is a problem that isn't being fixed by education or fines.  What is in place now (obviously) isn't working.  Yeah, I have 38k+ cigarette butts to back that up.

I am committed to contributing everything I can to this community.  I love Wrightsville Beach and I'm stoked to be part of an amazingly inspiring and motivating team that's passionate about protecting, cleaning up and enjoying our beach.  Big thanks to my friend Bonnie for joining my husband and me at the beach today!!

20 minutes on Janurary 14, 2012 at Access 16

Litter by weight: 10.1 oz
Cigarette butts: 484

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 113 days:

38,187

Our Daily Ocean: Day 110

When I first started this beach clean up project in August of 2010, I set a "goal" to do at least two beach clean ups a week.  Some weeks I have done way over two and others... well... not so much.  As the end of 2011 is approaching quickly, I'm attempting to do my best and get out to Wrightsville Beach more often.  With us having a beautifully mild winter this should be easy!

We made it out yesterday on Christmas Eve and found the usual amount of litter-- caps, straws, wrappers and cigarette butts.  Now that the beach is less busy, I haven't found many plastic bags in a LONG time. That's a good thing, but just because I'm not finding them on the beach doesn't mean that I'm not finding/seeing them elsewhere.  In fact, I'm seeing them EVERYWHERE.  I often wonder if I decided to clean up a section on the side of the road how many plastic bags I would find.  Not long ago, my friend Bonnie decided to do just that.  A small stretch on the side of the road with too many littered plastic bags.



Bag Bans are popping up all over the country and our world.  We're ready to Ban The Bag Wilmington!!  Want to help?  Join us at Cape Fear Surfrider :)

20 minutes on December 24, 2011 at Access 16

Litter by weight: 5.2 oz
Cigarette butts: 301

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach in 110 days:

37,050

Our Daily Ocean: Day 106

Ever since we got home from California, the weather here has been down right perfect.  I'm not sure that it can get much better than mid-70's in late November!  Knowing the warm days are numbered, we've been trying to spend as much time at the beach as we can.  Sunday afternoon-- after a couple of hours playing in the sand-- we met our friend Bonnie at Access 43.

 Not long ago, Bonnie went to Access 43 and picked up litter for 20 minutes... her focus is on plastics... but she took the time to count the 390 cigarette butts that she collected.  I've added that amount plus the 118 cigarettes that Bonnie picked up last night to the Community Count (on the sidebar).  Bonnie's addition pushes the Community Count for Wrightsville Beach to over 10,000!!!

Big things are happening with Bonnie.  She was recently selected as a finalist in the international competition "IN SEARCH OF INCREDIBLE."  I was sooooo thrilled when I found out that she was a finalist because 1.) I told Bonnie about the competition and encouraged her to enter.  2.) Others are recognizing how AWESOME.. err... incredible she is.  3.) Her art is something that everyone needs to see.  AND... 4.) An opportunity to create more awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans.

More awareness to this problem of plastic pollution is the opportunity to reach more people.  Believe it or not... there are people who don't know about the Pacific Garbage Patch... there are people who don't know that sea turtles mistake plastic bags as jellyfish... there are people who have no idea that albatross are eating plastic and feeding it to their young... and dying on one of the most remote islands on earth.

Last night, we picked up 179 bottle caps in 20 minutes.  In those bottle caps, I see Midway.  That makes me sad.  So I continue to repeat myself... I don't want to miss anyone.  I make no assumptions... even if I think you know... I just want to make extra sure, because this is important.  One of the most important things we can do is to stop using single-use plastics.  I started with something simple: I stopped buying/accepting/drinking beverages in plastic bottles.  Every time I see the photos of the albatross, I am reminded that my decision makes a difference.

20 minutes on November 27, 2011 at Access 43

Litter by weight: 1 lb 14.8 oz
Cigarette butts: 448

This is the area that we focused on for 20 minutes.  The section that is "turned up" looking is the section that we cleaned.

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 106 days: 

36,335

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Step forward... lean...step back... tilt... repeat...there's an art to the whole process of admiring and understanding art.  Meant to stir something in us... we all connect to masterpieces of art differently... and for different reasons.  Recently, my family and I went to see my friend Bonnie's art exhibit at UNCW... and just like all the great works of art that I am drawn to... I could spend hours admiring the brilliance of simplicities and complexities found in what Bonnie has created...

Using plastic she's collected, Bonnie morphed the 19th century painting "Great Wave of Kanagowa" into 5 distinctly different waves that represent the 5 ocean gyres.... it's beautiful and disturbing all at the same time.  Bonnie often talks to me about the time Charlie Moore told her that if we don't get this problem [of plastic pollution] under control... that we would eventually be swimming in it.  As the majority of litter we pick up on Wrightsville Beach is plastic, I understand it and can see how it is a possibility for our future.  BUT... during a research trip to Bermuda, Bonnie saw what most of us don't even want to imagine.... she watched plastic wash in as children swam in the ocean.

....in some places, eventually is happening right now.

In an attempt to share Bonnie's art exhibit with people that can't make it to Wilmington, I took a short video.  BUT... I offer you this thought.  What if Bonnie could bring her exhibit to where you live??  I, personally, think that "What Goes Around, Comes Around" needs to travel... everyone needs to see it in person.... what do you think??

"The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life." 

 ~William Faulkner

P.S.  You can contact Bonnie here :)

Life Rolls On

For the past few weeks, I've been somewhat MIA.  From taking unplanned trips to visit family to a broken computer... it feels like forever since I posted.  fyi: Forever = 15 days ;)  In my last post, I mentioned the awesome AWESOME day we had at Wrightsville Beach.  Now... computer fixed and my feet firmly planted back in Wilmington... it's time to rewind to October 1!!  :)

Just like last year, my husband and I volunteered with Ocean Cure for "Life Rolls On: They Will Surf Again".  It was something that I decided I wanted to get involved with after attending a benefit concert in February 2010.  During the concert, I saw "Wrightsville Beach" pop up on the screen and wondered why I had never heard about this organization.  So... if you don't know anything about Life Rolls On (LRO)... it's a subsidiary of the Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation that was founded by Jesse Billauer, a young surfer who was left quadriplegic after a wave pushed him head first into a shallow sandbar.  His story is really really inspiring and motivating... I would highly recommend everyone watching "Jesse's Story."

I would also... tell anyone and everyone (my friends will vouch for it!)... that if you can ever volunteer for "They Will Surf Again"... you must.  It's one of the most inspiring things to be a part of.  Words can't begin to describe it and  pictures can't capture how unbelievably amazing it is...  you have to be there to feel the energy... to see the hope, happiness and witness the freedom.

"LRO is an avenue to hope, independence, freedom, happiness, inspiration, and teamwork.  It is about bringing people together and changing lives one day, one program, and one person at a time.  Each of LRO's amazing programs offers the opportunity for the physically disabled to open their minds, help them forget about their challenges and to be thankful for the opportunity to still be alive."

While my husband spent the day in the ocean with our friends and community helping get the participants surfing, I (much like last year) hung out on the beach.  BUT... this year, I actually got to do a lot more!!  This year, I not only volunteered with Ocean Cure for the LRO event... but I was also doing double duty by volunteering with Surfrider! During the event, I had a container of cigarette butts on display for playing "Guess How Many"... and we-- Bonnie, Ginger, my kids and I-- constructed a giant footprint in the sand to help raise awareness to the amount of litter-- especially plastics-- picked up off our beach!  From plastic water bottles to kids toys... all of the litter in the footprint (minus the containers  of cigarettes we displayed) was picked up by my friends Ginger and John on their Monday morning turtle walks during nesting season.  What they were able to do during their morning walks... is just more proof that with simple actions we DO make a difference.   Having the footprint on display during the event, had many advantages.  The obvious is that people were interested, but what was also great about it is that kids came to borrow toys that were in the footprint.  :) Since I'm now volunteering with my local chapter of Surfrider, this is an awesome opportunity to plug Raptoberfest.  Rap...what?! You ask. The whole month of October, Surfrider is dedicating to Rise Above Plastics (RAP)!  ...AND you know I'm ALL about Rising Above Plastics. :)  So... without further ramblings....straight from Surfrider... Here are 10 easy ways to reduce your plastic footprint:  Stop using single-use plastic water bottles.  In nearly all cases, the water out of your tap is just as safe – if not safer – than the water distributed in single-use plastic bottles.   Instead, buy and use a reusable bottle and fill it with water. Whenever possible, buy food in bulk.  Buying food in bulk helps to reduce the total amount of packaging materials consumed. Buy your music electronically.  By purchasing your music electronically, you avoid the need to create plastic compact discs, plastic jewel cases, and cellophane wrapping. Stop using plastic grocery bags.  Each year over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide.  Because these bags are so light and thin, they are easily carried by the wind out into the environment.  Instead, use reusable bags to get your groceries and other purchases home. Say “NO” to pre-packaged single serving portions.  These types of products are among the worst when it comes to excess packaging. Reusable containers are rad! When it comes to lunch and leftovers, ditch the plastic bag and use reusable containers instead.  Reusable containers are just as easy to use and far less harmful to the planet Buy a reusable travel mug.  Use a reusable travel mug or to-go cup for your coffee, tea and other beverage purchases.  Think of all the lids (as well as the waxed paper cups) you’ll save. Always look for alternative packaging. Many items such as soft drinks, detergent, cat litter, etc. come in alternate packaging (such as aluminum or cardboard) that can be more easily recycled than plastic. Buy and sell secondhand.  Clothing, toys, baby gear, furniture, household supplies, sporting goods and many other consumer items can often be found through secondhand sources, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic entering the waste stream.  Recycle! In those instances where you must use plastic, please make sure to recycle it.

Happy Raptoberfest... get your rethinking, reducing and reusing on.  Join your local Chapter of Surfrider... get involved in an organization that makes you feel awesome because you're doing awesome.  Do something that matters... and most importantly have fun. :) 

This post is dedicated to my Grandpa.

September 20, 1927- October 1, 2011

Our Daily Ocean: Day 99

Sunday evening, my family and I met our friends Bonnie, Ginger and John at the beach to do a little... ok... a BIG litter awareness art project in the sand with (almost) all of the litter that Ginger and John picked up on their morning turtle walks at Wrightsville Beach.  It took us a few trips up the steps to Johnnie Mercer's Pier and a good hour before we figured out exactly how it should be.  As we made adjustments and discussed how we could make it better, we watched as people walked by and slowed down... it definitely grabbed the attention of beach goers that passed by, which was super exciting because bringing awareness to a problem is the first step to changing a problem.

Speaking of art.  Bonnie is having an art exhibit that will run from September 22- October 27 at UNCW's Boseman Gallery.  Since I've seen a bit of what Bonnie has created...I'm super excited to see it all come together!!  So, if you're in Wilmington (or nearby) mark your calendars.

  WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND

Just in today:  The lawsuit that was brought on ChicoBag by plastic bag giants has been settled!!  WOOT!  Such great news!  Plastic bags blow!! We picked up 2 plastic bags on the beach on Sunday evening AND Sunday morning my husband picked up several plastic bags in the water as he was SUPing two of our kids around Wrightsville Beach.  Every time I'm able to snap a photo of a plastic bag in the environment, I add it to Surfrider Foundation Cape Fear Chapter's photos on Facebook, if you catch a plastic bag in "action" snap a photo, grab it... then post your photo!

Saturday, September 24th is NC BIG SWEEP!!  Volunteers are needed, so come on out and help clean up our beaches and waterways!

"Big Sweep will begin at 9:00 am in Wrightsville Beach at the Gazebo at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, Carolina Beach at the Boardwalk Gazebo, Kure Beach at the Pier, and Greenfield Lake at the Boathouse.  

Please come prepared to be outdoors: wear sunscreen, sturdy closed toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty.  Help us reduce the amount of waste at the event by bringing your own reusable water bottle and gloves if you have them."

20 minutes on September 11, 2011 at Access 16

Litter by weight: 6 lbs 10. 8 oz

Cigarette butts: 759

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 99 days: 

34,941

Our Daily Ocean: Day 95

Last night... was a record breaking night.  Our 20 minute clean up turned into almost 30 minutes... and even when we finished the section we started, as we left the beach we could see that there (literally) was no end in sight.  But, maybe I should rewind a bit... as much as I want to blurt everything out right now... let's start from the beginning.

Earlier in the day, I called Bonnie to see if she wanted to go for ice cream with us... ummm... YES!!  Then we decided that we would meet beforehand at Wrightsville Beach to do a 20 minute clean up.  :)  By the way, if you don't know who Bonnie is... you should!  She's been to 3 of the 5 ocean gyres studying the accumulation of plastics in our oceans.  AND... I'm super excited because she's currently working on an art exhibit that will be shown late September...

So... as it were... Claire and Henri were playing in the ocean... I saw a cigarette butt in the tideline...Bonnie grabbed a piece of plastic... and then Henri ran out of the water with a plastic bag (no not that kind... a package for rubber gloves).  As my kids finished playing and our clean up started, my kids made a beeline for the dunes/grasses... finding odds and ends of plastics along the way.

Then it happened, Bonnie called me over to the wrack line.  It was reminiscent of the wrack line that we came across on Day 11 at Access 20.  If you recall, we picked up 1,833 cigarette butts that day.  But, this day... we picked up more....  I attempted to take a picture, but realized that I couldn't fit into one frame what we were seeing... a photo couldn't explain why we didn't stop at the 20 minute mark.  As Bonnie says, "We were soooo outnumbered... the sun went down before we could even come close to finishing."  

I'm not sure where all of those cigarette butts came from, but here's the fact that matters: 

 They were all littered.  

We went over 20 minutes on September 3, 2011 at Access 17

Litter by weight: 2 lbs 6 oz
Cigarette butts: 2,026 

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 95 days:

30,477