Our Daily Ocean: Day 221

When the forecast is mid-70's in December.... I squee with excitement and then I make every effort to get to the beach as much as possible.  Warm air, blue skies, salt air, bare feet, sandy toes...  a perfect day.

My kids and I spent the morning into the early afternoon soaking in the warmth at Wrightsville Beach with our friends.  Our morning was filled with sandcastles, a barefoot walk to lunch, and good conversation.  Just before we had to say good-bye to our perfect December beach day... my friend Rachel and I did a 20 minute beach cleanup.

I met Rachel a couple of years ago while I was checking out at Tidal Creek Co-op.  Rachel noticed my glass jars (that I use for bulk foods) and started a conversation.  A conversation that still continues and evolves as Rachel has also taken on the commitment to use less plastic.  While we were talking at the beach, she asked me how I talk to people about plastics without sounding naggy.  ... I wish I had some amazing advice to give... but the truth is... all we can all do is lead by example and share our experiences.  Give each other time to find our own way.  Inspire change.  

Be a spark.

20 minutes on December 6, 2013

Litter by weight: 10.3 oz

Cigarette butts: 118

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 221 days:

57,140

Our Daily Ocean: Day 214

A year ago, Tuesday, I did my 168th beach clean up picking up 225 cigarette butts in 20 minutes.  At the time, I was putting all my efforts into bringing awareness to how beach smoking bans helped reduce cigarette litter and encouraging WB residents to get out and vote.  And then on November 6, 2012 the residents of Wrightsville Beach voted to make WB the first smoke-free beach in North Carolina making my 168th beach clean up my last pre-smoking ban clean up!! 

Yes, it's been a year already!  

With the passing of the smoke-free beach ordinance, I found immense gratitude in being part of something so significant to my area.  A year after the fact, I still feel the pride wash over me when I step onto the beach.  And even more so when I calculate the difference pre and post smoke-free ordinance.

Comparing March 2012- March 2013 where I picked up an average of 222 cigarette butts per clean up to April 2013- present where I now pick up an average of 60 butts per cleanup....  

there is a 73% decrease in cigarette litter at Wrightsville Beach!!  YAY for a smoke-free beach!!!

Now as I work to complete 365 non-consecutive beach cleanups, without the push of fixing the cigarette litter problem....  I sometimes find myself looking for inspiration, motivation and purpose to get out to the beach.  This past Tuesday, I received a simple reminder from my friend Rachel and her 3 amazing kids.

There's nothing... I tell you nothing... more inspiring than seeing young kids get excited about helping make a difference.  I loved watching Rachel's kids enthusiasm, having conversations with them and hearing their observations about what they were picking up on the beach.  Thank you Rachel, for suggesting that we do a beach cleanup together!!  Let's do it again, soon!

20 minutes on November 5, 2013 at Access 25

Litter by weight:  1.4 oz
Cigarette butts: 68

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 214 days:

56,597