Get out and clean the beach!

Delaware is a small state, to be sure, but in that 26 miles bordering the Atlantic, 25 miles along the Delaware Bay and another 100-plus of inland coast, we certainly do manage to gather a lot of trash.

Tons of trash are removed each year by volunteers during organized beach cleanups, such as the World Oceans Day cleanup by MERR, the weekly cleanup by the good folks at Delaware Surf Fishing, and the state-sponsored cleanup in September.

But why not organize a beach cleanup as part of your next stay in one of the many areas of coastal Delaware you like to vacation? Not only would you be helping to maintain its beauty for future visits, but a beach cleanup can offer a number of benefits. Here are just a few:

You are helping marine animals

There are plenty of shocking images of marine animals’ encounters with human trash out there, so why not feel better about removing those pieces from the coast before they get a chance to get washed out into that ecosystem and do damage?

You are preserving a place that you love

Coastal Delaware is the chosen destination by tens of thousands each year. By cleaning the beach, you are helping to ensure that is remains a desired destination for you and your family for years to come.

You are keeping toxins out of the water

Cigarette butts continue to be one of the most frequently found items of trash on Earth, including in the ocean (current estimates are 2.3 million butts are discarded every hour, and 1 in 10 reach the ocean).

After one hour of exposure, a single cigarette butt can contaminate about two gallons of water with its chemicals. By collecting cigarette butts, you are helping eliminate the spread of arsenic, lead and ammonia in the water.

You are making local seafood safer

According to a recent study in Belgium, the average seafood eater consumes about 11,000 microscopic fragments of plastic each year. So, by cleaning the beach, you are helping to clean the food you enjoy.

You have an excuse to get outside

Cleaning the beach is a great way to get out along the coast and witness one of our spectacular sunsets or watch the sunrise over the Atlantic first thing in the morning.

You are creating a shared memory with your friends and/or family

If you are vacationing with a group, you can help create a lasting memory (or tradition) by all participating in a group event that will give everyone an opportunity to feel confident that they have helped.

You will get good exercise

Walking in the sand is actually better for the body than walking on paved, flat surfaces, and you can burn more calories, engage your stabilizing muscles, and improve coordination.

If you want to join an already-scheduled cleanup, check the “events” of the Delaware Surf Fishing Facebook page, as they hold a weekly cleanup at various locations, each starting at 9 a.m.

Start making a beach cleanup part of your next beach visit for one or more of the reasons listed above so the only thing that has a long-lasting impact are the memories you create.