Nonprofit announces Jersey Shore cleanup results
Posted: Updated:A local group helped take thousands of pieces of trash out of New Jersey waters.
Clean Ocean Action announced that it collected 373,686 pieces of debris as part of its beach sweep in 2017.
The group says the study isn't just about picking up trash but also how people treat waterways.
Over 7,400 volunteers were part of the program to keep the Jersey Shore clean last year.
Officials say the most common items they found, which they dubbed the "dirty dozen," included plastic pieces, caps, food wrappers, straws and cigarette filters.
Statistically, plastic made up for 76.2 percent of the trash found, while foam plastic came in at a distant second with 8.2 percent.
Cleanups like this have led to many beaches banning cigarettes and has others considering disallowing balloon releases.
Noted improvements from the cleanups included less disposed diapers and pieces of lumber.
Some offbeat items were found during the cleanings: blood vials, a tennis racket, fire extinguishers, a tooth in a box and a bird cage.
Clean Ocean Action was founded in 1985 and holds one of the longest-running beach cleanups in the world.
The next beach sweep is scheduled for April 21.
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Seaside Heights mayor recommends tabling ordinance to allow dogs on boardwalk
Seaside Heights mayor recommends tabling ordinance to allow dogs on boardwalk
The mayor's office presented the plan to possibly allow leashed dogs onto the boardwalk, but Mayor Anthony Vaz has now recommended tabling the ordinance.
The mayor's office presented the plan to possibly allow leashed dogs onto the boardwalk, but Mayor Anthony Vaz has now recommended tabling the ordinance.
News
Forecast: Temps dip overnight; rain possible Friday afternoon
Forecast: Temps dip overnight; rain possible Friday afternoon
Thursday’s overnight hours should see cloudy skies with temperatures dipping into the 40s.
Thursday’s overnight hours should see cloudy skies with temperatures dipping into the 40s.
Asbury Park bans smoking on town’s beaches
Asbury Park bans smoking on town’s beaches
Asbury Park has joined other Jersey Shore communities in banning smoking on its beaches.
Asbury Park has joined other Jersey Shore communities in banning smoking on its beaches.
Bill Cosby convicted of drugging and molesting a woman
Bill Cosby convicted of drugging and molesting a woman
Bill Cosby (C) walks through the Montgomery County Courthouse with his publicist, Andrew Wyatt, after being found guilty on all counts in his sexual assault retrial.
Bill Cosby (C) walks through the Montgomery County Courthouse with his publicist, Andrew Wyatt, after being found guilty on all counts in his sexual assault retrial.
Bill Cosby was convicted Thursday of drugging and molesting a woman in the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era.
Bill Cosby was convicted Thursday of drugging and molesting a woman in the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era.
Business Briefs: Snap Spectacles, Sonos IPO, Nintendo
Business Briefs: Snap Spectacles, Sonos IPO, Nintendo
Snap is back with a new pair of spectacles. The company is launching an upgraded version of its hands-free camera glasses just in time for summer.
Snap is back with a new pair of spectacles. The company is launching an upgraded version of its hands-free camera glasses just in time for summer.
Snap is back with a new pair of spectacles. The company is launching an upgraded version of its hands-free camera glasses just in time for summer.
Snap is back with a new pair of spectacles. The company is launching an upgraded version of its hands-free camera glasses just in time for summer.
Union pretzel shop puts a special twist on foods
Union pretzel shop puts a special twist on foods
Le Bon Pretzels opened last summer and in a short amount of time, has revolutionized their product with the pizza pretzel, along with toppings of choice.
Le Bon Pretzels opened last summer and in a short amount of time, has revolutionized their product with the pizza pretzel, along with toppings of choice.
Edison woman to run across US for cancer fund
Edison woman to run across US for cancer fund
A college student from Edison is spending her summer by running across the country.
A college student from Edison is spending her summer by running across the country.
Jersey Buzz: April 26, 2018
Jersey Buzz: April 26, 2018
Jersey Buzz: April 26, 2018
Jersey Buzz: April 26, 2018
Nutley bridge to undergo summer construction
Nutley bridge to undergo summer construction
Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo announced that construction on the Centre Street Bridge will begin this summer.
Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo announced that construction on the Centre Street Bridge will begin this summer.
Fair Lawn police arrest serial burglar caught on video
Fair Lawn police arrest serial burglar caught on video
Fair Lawn police have arrested a serial burglar thanks to a homeowner's video surveillance system.
Fair Lawn police have arrested a serial burglar thanks to a homeowner's video surveillance system.
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Global Premiere for 'Avengers: Infinity War'
Global Premiere for 'Avengers: Infinity War'
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios? "Avengers: Infinity War" on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios? "Avengers: Infinity War" on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" was on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
The Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" was on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
President Trump hosts 1st state dinner
President Trump hosts 1st state dinner
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for the state dinner during visit to the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for the state dinner during visit to the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for the state dinner during visit to the White House.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Guide: Thrilling roller coasters in the tri-state area
Guide: Thrilling roller coasters in the tri-state area
Looking for some excitement this summer? Check out some of these thrilling and extreme roller coasters, all located in the tri-state area.
Looking for some excitement this summer? Check out some of these thrilling and extreme roller coasters, all located in the tri-state area.
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Guide: Amusement Parks
Guide: Amusement Parks
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
Guide: New Jersey Public Golf Courses
Guide: New Jersey Public Golf Courses
As the weather warms up, it's time to get your golf bag out and tee off once again! New Jersey offers a variety of public courses to practice your game at. Check out the list below for the links in your area.
As the weather warms up, it's time to get your golf bag out and tee off once again! New Jersey offers a variety of public courses to practice your game at. Check out the list below for the links in your area.
2018 Prudential Center Concert Lineup
2018 Prudential Center Concert Lineup
A variety of artists will be performing at the Prudential Center in Newark for the rest of 2018 and beyond.
A variety of artists will be performing at the Prudential Center in Newark for the rest of 2018 and beyond.