Our Daily Ocean: Day 182

The temperatures pushed past 80˚ today and as my kids spent their afternoon at Airlie Gardens doing their science class... I made my way to our adopted beach access at Wrightsville Beach.  It's been what seems like forever (January 15) since I've been to Access 36 as I'm usually pretty tight on the amount of time I have... but today I had an abundance of time!

There's some big changes happening at Wrightsville Beach including the rebuilding of the weather-worn Crystal Pier.  Since the pier has been a part of Wrightsville Beach for over 70 years, I'm super happy that the pier is being repaired and rebuilt even though I'm not a fan of the litter that blows off the pier from Oceanic restaurant.  (hoping this year will be different!)

At least one thing will be different this year... and not to get excited too early... but today I had a record low cigarette butt count!!  25 cigarette butts in 20 minutes!  Ok... ok... I know peak season isn't here just yet... but I'm happy nonetheless.  Only time will tell if the smoke-free beach ordinance continually helps to significantly reduce cigarette litter at Wrightsville Beach.  I'm optimistic :)

20 minutes on April 9, 2013 at Access 36

Litter by weight: 1 lb 6 oz
Cigarette butts: 25

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 182 days:

54,789

Our Daily Ocean: Day 176

For the past several days, warm weather has been making winter feel like spring.  It's been really really nice!!  As far as my beach clean ups have gone-- knowing the beach has been getting more traffic than normal-- I've been pleasantly surprised by the minimal amount of litter I've been finding on the beach.

See that plastic bottle of water?  It's only one now, but come summer littered single-use plastic water bottles will abound.  ...and to be completely frank, bottled water is one example of a littered item that is completely unnecessary.  Of course, there are more problematic issues to bottled water than just the littered plastic bottle that could send me on a long winding tangent... instead, I'll recommend watching the documentary "Tapped" (it's available on Netflix) and grabbing a reusable water bottle.  

It's always worth reminding ourselves that with our own conscious purchasing habits we have the power to change the system.  If we all get together to make a change... that change is unstoppable.

20 minutes on January 15, 2013 at Access 36

Litter by weight: 7.5 oz

Cigarette butts: 46

 Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 176 days:

54,048