Our Daily Ocean: Day 255

Recently, I've been hearing that there's an increase in cigarette litter at Wrightsville Beach and was even interviewed by Lumina News about the topic.  I went to the beach with the sole purpose of seeing the increase with my own eyes.

 But that didn't happen because on this beautiful warm fall day, I only found 3 littered cigarettes. :)  

Thursday, October 29, 2015 @ 11:06am
Access 25-29
Time: 20 minutes
Weather: 79˚ & sunny (falling tide: high tide @ 9:12 AM)
Cigarette butts: 3 (fresh)

Our Daily Ocean: Day 236

It's pretty amazing that our society has reached a point where the effort necessary to extract oil from the ground, 
ship it to a refinery, 
turn it into plastic, 
shape it appropriately, 
truck it to a store, 
buy it, 
and bring it home 
is considered to be less effort than what it takes to just wash the spoon when you're done with it.

(the work of Max Temkin)

Don't get stuck using disposable plasticware, always be prepared.  I carry a To-Go Ware bamboo set and a Life Without Plastic spork with me.  If for some reason I don't have my reusable utensils on hand, I make sure to grab foods that can be eaten without utensils or choose foods that can be used as utensils (chips, crackers, carrots, cucumbers, etc.).

20 minutes on February 27, 2014 at Access 29
Litter by weight: 2.4 oz
Cigarette butts: 25

Total cigarette butts removed: 57,737

Got my finger in the shot!  Whoops!  

Our Daily Ocean: Day 232

Well, it happened again.  Our normally mild winter area received another bout of ice.  The trees bent and broke, leaving Wilmington looking like a hurricane had blown through.  But thankfully, all is well... and it's back to the beach!

While I haven't done as many beach cleanups as I had hoped to at this point, I have done what I could.  These winter beach cleanups have been so different than previous years.  More often than not, I think: "it's so clean".  And not the deceiving kind of clean... like I look and I look and I look... scanning the sand for litter... and there's just not much to find.

I wish for the same to happen this summer.

20 minutes on February 18, 2014 at Access 29
Litter by weight: 4.3 oz
Cigarette butts: 9

Total cigarette butts removed: 57,657

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 220

Earlier this week, I found this quote from a Sophocles play and haven't been able to stop thinking of it... and when I was at the beach on this foggy Thursday morning it seemed to tug at me more.  I hope you connect with it as I have...


Far-stretching, endless Time

Brings forth all hidden things,

And buries that which once did shine.

The firm resolve falters, the sacred oath is shattered;

And let none say, "It cannot happen here".

20 minutes on December 5, 2013 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 4 oz
Cigarette butts: 93

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 220 days:

57,022

Our Daily Ocean: Day 204

As I'm moving forward with my goal to complete my 365th beach clean up on August 9, 2014... I'm finding myself settling back into my beach cleanup groove.  AND, I'm really enjoying it.  I realize that earlier in the year I truly needed a break... but now... it feels so good to be back.

Sometimes what we see on the surface is only a small fraction of the issue.  Case in point, this seemingly small piece of plastic I picked up at Wrightsville Beach on Monday.  As I pulled, I realized that the majority of the plastic was underneath the sand.... and it turned out to be a bag that once held ice.

Did you know that there is a way around plastic bags of ice?  I mean besides making your own... which if you need to fill a large cooler may take a long time.  There's a company called "Ice House America" that has bulk ice machines.  Take your cooler and fill with ice... no plastic bag to throw away!  Want to see if there's a bulk ice machine near you?  Check out their website here.

20 minutes on September 30, 2013 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 5.4 oz
Cigarette butts: 46

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 204 days:

56,083

Our Daily Ocean: Day 184

On Earth Day, I hesitantly went to Wrightsville Beach to do an Earth Day Beach Cleanup.  I say "hesitantly" because the weather here had been really warm (almost summer-like), but over the weekend cold weather settled in with a chill.  But as uncomfortable as I was with the lack of warmth... Earth Day is the day to get out, explore, rethink, and do more.  So with my hoodie pulled tight to keep my ears warm, I began walking the beach and remembering my commitment.

Just as the New Year is a time to make resolutions, Earth Day is a day to resolve to do more to help protect and restore the world we live in.  It's important to take the time to remember (or even to learn) that we are all connected on this planet... and that what is bad for the planet is bad for us.  And what is inherently bad for us is bad for the planet.  Nothing is separate.  The air we breath is connected to the water we drink and the water we drink is connected to the earth on which we stand. 

 One thing that I haven't shared much about (or at all) on here is the local effort to help protect our air, water and children from the development of a cement plant in my area.  It's a grassroots effort that has been going strong for 5 years now and it's important that our community continues to stand strong stopping Titan for the health of our children, our families, our air and our water.  

On Sunday, April 28 @ 2:30pm come join the Stop Titan community at Tidal Creek Coop.  There'll be live music, speakers and good company.  For more info about the event: 

STANDING STRONG-- STOPPING TITAN

"Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?'  It will only be time wasted.  The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?'  To that there is an answer." 

~ Leo Buscaglia

20 minutes on April 22, 2013 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 1 lb

Cigarette butts: 23

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 184 days:

54,912

Our Daily Ocean: Day 179

From the moment the Wrightsville Beach smoke-free beach ordinance passed in November, I have been waiting for the moment when I go to the beach and take this picture:

It's really official!  "NO SMOKING" is on the signs at Wrightsville Beach! AND... I helped make that happen!  It feels awesome to have played a part in helping Wrightsville Beach become the first smoke-free beach in North Carolina!  Yeah, I'm smiling. 

While I'm super excited, I'm also realistic in knowing that it may take some time before we start seeing the positive impacts of the new ordinance.  The reality is that the cigarette litter problem will never be perfect.  But, what I do know is that it's going to be better.  And, that's something to be very excited about.

20 minutes on February 12, 2013 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 1 lb 3.9 oz
Cigarette butts: 81

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 179 days:

54,415

Our Daily Ocean: Day 163

When I got to Wrightsville Beach last night and looked at the time to start my 20 minute clean up, it was 6:37pm.  Sunset was at 6:34.  Knowing the amount of sunlight I had left was minimal, I didn't hesitate getting started... but then I realized I had to take the time to pause and look up.

With my eyes focused on the sand, I got to work picking up and sorting through the little bits of trash left on the beach.  As always, too many cigarette butts.  Since I was in Santa Monica recently and picked up only 9 cigarette butts in 20 minutes... the amount of cigarette butts we find on Wrightsville Beach has been weighing heavy on me.  This November (or now if you're voting early) registered voters of Wrightsville Beach will be able to vote FOR a referendum to help clean up Wrightsville Beach.  Need proof that smoke-free beaches work to reduce cigarette litter?  Here ya go:

80 beach clean ups-- 524 cigarette butts in Santa Monica

40 beach clean ups -- 9,436 cigarette butts in WB

Voting FOR the referendum is a vote FOR clean air and a clean beach!  Tell your friends!

20 minutes on October 17, 2012 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 8.9 oz

Cigarette butts: 409

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 163 days:

51,556

Our Daily Ocean: Day 134

Saturday morning, we woke up early and headed to Wrightsville Beach to set up the Surfrider Spring Beach Sweep at Wrightsville Beach.  If you didn't know, my husband and I both volunteer with Cape Fear Surfrider... it's something that we really enjoy doing because we get to connect with a community of people who are taking an active role in protecting and caring for our beaches.  I always encourage everyone to learn more about the work Surfrider Foundation does to protect our oceans, waves and beaches for now and tomorrow... and wherever you are (and whether you're a surfer or not) to definitely get involved with this awesome awesome organization!

As the sweep started, I decided to do a 20 minute beach clean up.  Normally, I don't do our beach clean ups in the morning, but since I was already there... it only made sense!  So I set off following fairly far behind WB Mayor Cignotti, who was volunteering during the Surfrider clean up.  I thought since someone was already picking up ahead of me that there wouldn't be too much to pick up.  Wrong.

In 20 minutes, I picked up 212 cigarette butts.  When Mayor Cignotti finished, he had picked up 211!  Two other Surfrider volunteers counted a whopping 457 cigarette butts that they found on WB!  I've added those two counts to the community count on the sidebar, which pushes the community count for WB to: 11,561!!

Not surprising: Cigarette butts were by far the most found littered item during the Surfrider clean up.

Since today is Earth Day, I was really hoping to do another 20 minute beach clean up.... but it just didn't happen.  Much needed rain and an opportunity to sit down with a friend and talk about some important issues facing our area... meant that a beach clean up could wait until another day.  Besides, in my world... everyday really is Earth Day. :)

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.  

~George Bernard Shaw

Happy Earth Day today and everyday!

20 minutes on April 21, 2012 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 4.6 oz

Cigarette butts: 212

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 134 days:

44,423

Our Daily Ocean: Day 102

After over 20 days, I finally made it back out to Wrightsville Beach last night to do my 102nd beach clean up!!!  My husband and three kids had some things to do... so, it was just "me" and one of our brand new beach clean up bags straight from Green Bag Lady!!

Teresa (Green Bag Lady) made special beach bags for several of us that do beach clean ups... and sent us 5 for our family to use!!  Now, I attempted to make a video showing what sets Green Bag Lady Beach Bags apart from the rest... but *sigh* I just can't listen to my recorded voice!! (must figure out how they made me sound good in my FilterForGood film ;) )  Anyhow, the bags are made of vinyl with MESH bottoms... a mesh bottom means that all of the sand falls through and stays where it's supposed to-- the beach!!!  YAY!!  No more piles of sand in my driveway!!  Thanks so much Teresa!! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE our new beach bags!! So AWESOME!!!! :)

When I saw this single use plastic spoon on the beach last night, I immediately thought of the poster-- "The Spoon" by Max Temkin-- that I shared on my FB page back in September. (Thanks Sean!)  If you haven't seen the poster, check it out here.  It may seem like an absolute no brainer to not use disposable plasticware, but it's easy to get stuck using the stuff.  So... my advice: Either buy a nice travel set of utensils or grab some out of your drawer and keep them handy! Please and thank you :) 

Still picking up cigarette butts on Wrightsville Beach... and still no resolution as to how the Town of WB is planning on dealing with the problem.  As beach season is now over, I have no doubts that this issue will be (once again) put off until next season... guess I'll be at this longer than I anticipated.  

No worries though, because I decided a few months ago that I'm going to continue doing the 20 minute beach clean ups until Sara finishes her 365 non-consecutive day goal.  (She just finished up with Day 227)  Here's to at least another year... and our awesome awesome community! :)

20 minutes on October 23, 2011 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 1 lb 9.6 oz

Cigarette butts: 132

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 102 days:

35,411 

Our Daily Ocean: Day 51

Back on Day 12,  I shared some observations that my husband and I had while we picked up cigarette butts at Wrightsville Beach.  Since we've been doing the 20 minute clean ups at Wrightsville Beach for over 7 months now... I had kind of forgotten about our observations and how things had changed over the winter.  BUT... while we were at Access 29 on Friday.... we noticed the return of the pair...

Over the winter, it was typical to find stretched out trails of cigarette butts... most likely because people go to the beach to walk.  When the weather is warmer, people spend time sitting... in one spot... and in turn (some) choose to use the beach as their personal ashtray...

 For so many months, we've gone out to Wrightsville Beach and had the beach to ourselves, but Friday was our first really "warm" day... so the beach was super busy... and I have to say that it's kind of strange going to the beach and it being packed!! ;)  But... it was great to be there enjoying the beach with other people.  It was even better when I leaned over several times to pick up litter and heard people say "thank you"... "I appreciate you doing that."

The other day, I watched this video that I think everyone should see....

We all have the power to do something... the question is... "What are you going to do??"

20 minutes on March 18, 2011

Litter by weight: 1 lb 7.4 oz
Cigarette butts: 173

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 51 days:

15,223

Our Daily Ocean: Day 13

It's been awhile since I've done a 20 minute beach clean-up at Wrightsville Beach.  BUT... I have good news!!  While I was in California, my husband and three children decided to take it upon themselves to get over to Wrightsville Beach for a 20 minute beach clean-up.  YAY!!!  After lunch and ice cream (true I'm a bit jealous I missed out on ice cream) they cleaned up Access 29!!

The day before my family went out to Wrightsville Beach to pick up litter, I spent the day with my friend Sara of The Daily Ocean.  We visited some amazing fifth grader girls known as the "Peace Troop".  We watched the film "Bag It"!! If you haven't seen it yet... YOU NEED to... seriously, go rent it now!!

And speaking of films... today I opened one of the best emails EVER!!  Awhile ago, I entered my cigarette butt litter project in the Brita FilterForGood Film Project.  AND turns out that they like my project!!  I guess why wouldn't they... cigarette butts are NASTY!!!!  Here's the email I received... click the link and PLEASE VOTE for my project "Our Daily Ocean:  A Story of Butts"...

"CONGRATULATIONS!  You have been selected as a finalist in the FilterForGood Film Project.  We received more than 150 submissions, and YOURS was selected by alumni filmmakers of the Sundance Film Festival as one of the Top 15.  We really appreciate your entry and are excited that you’ve taken a step towards inspiring others to make a difference.

Now it’s time to vote!  The Facebook community will vote to determine the three winners who will win a VIP trip to the Sundance Film Festival and see the short film they inspired air on TV, so we encourage you to spread the word within your local community and social networks. 

Vote once per day from today to Friday, October 29 by visiting the Film Project tab on the Brita FilterForGood page or click here."

After watching "Bag It", Sara and I headed over to Ocean Park, Santa Monica to do a 20 minute clean-up with Mark Armen of The Bait Tank.  Sara has been telling me that I needed to meet Mark from the moment I started this project.  He's doing big things in California... capturing cigarette butts and saving fish with his Bait Tanks!!  In fact, his Bait Tanks are helping to reduce cigarette butt litter by 60% in the locations that they are currently installed!!!  Sounds like something we need here on our local beaches.  As Sara said so many months ago, "I'm on it!!!"

20 minutes on October 8, 2010

Litter picked up by weight: ??  (my husband didn't weigh them... it's cool.  He took the time to go out and I'm so happy he did!!)

Cigarette Butts: 403

Total amount of cigarette butts picked up off of Wrightsville Beach, NC in 13 days:

6,749

Our Daily Ocean: Day 3

After my son finished with karate, we headed over to Wrightsville Beach.  We had originally decided that we were going to hit Johnny Mercer's Pier, but as I was driving over I thought since we were going to have ice cream after we picked up litter that it only made sense to go here:

Access 29 is conveniently located by our favorite ice cream shop and Trolley Stop... and lots of other places to eat and shop.

  As we walked up the access, we saw a group of older people talking.  One lady was smoking a cigarette.  My husband decided he was going to say something... so with a jovial attitude he said, "You're not going to throw that butt down in the sand when you're done, are you?"  AND... much to my surprise the lady said, "No, I'm going to take it with me.  We normally go to Morehead City... you know what they have?  These signs that say 'Don't Leave Your Butt on the Beach."  

If only every smoker was so observant and respectful of our beaches.  

Unfortunately, they're not.

Just as usual, we also picked up lots of littered plastics.  From the innocent toys...

to the forgotten drinks... 

to straws...

My son noticed this bright straw under the lifeguard stand... then he picked up 7 more .

 and then these...

 hmmm... for years we've been told how marine animals and birds get tangled in the plastic rings... but yet... they are still found on beaches :(  I have to say that I'm surprised they're still made.  Back to that whole voting with your $$ mantra.  Want to buy soda (or beer)?  Skip the rings and buy it in a box.

On our way back to the car (and to get ice cream), my kids kept stopping to pick up cigarette butts and other litter they saw.  My daughter said, 

"Some people are so trashy."  

20 minutes on August 17, 2010

Litter picked up by weight: 2 lbs
Cigarette Butts: 409

Total amount of cigarette butts picked up in 3 days off of Wrightsville Beach, NC: 952