Delaware Coastal Cleanup sites still need volunteers Sept. 17

With the Delaware Coastal Cleanup coming up from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 17, registration is filling up at some sites, while others still need more volunteers. Online preregistration is closed.

On the day of the event, T-shirts will be distributed to volunteers who have not preregistered while supplies last.

Sites in Sussex County where more volunteers would be helpful include Slaughter Beach South and Fowler Beach on the bay east of Milford, Cape Henlopen State Park Point and Gordons Pond sites, Dewey Beach/Indian Beach and South Bethany Beach.

“We’d really like to see more volunteers at some of these sites so that the cleanup covers the length of our coastline as well as some of our wildlife areas. Some may be smaller or not as well-known, but volunteers may discover these sites have their own unique appeal - as well as plenty of trash that needs to be picked up,” said Delaware Coastal Cleanup Coordinator Jack Hoban.

Hoban added that reports have been coming in from zone and site captains visiting the sites that volunteers can expect more and different kinds of trash at some locations this year due to Hurricane Irene as well as the recent stormy weather and related flooding.

One change volunteers will notice this year is they will receive two different colors of trash bags: black for trash and tan for recyclable glass, plastic and aluminum beverage containers, which will be placed in separate piles at each site’s trash pickup location. Beverage containers placed in the tan bags for recycling need to be fairly clean, not full of sand or mud. Other man-made items - from food wrappers to fishing tackle - will go in the black bags. Large items such as tires, lumber and metal scraps should be stacked next to the trash bags.

In case of postponement due to inclement weather, notice will be posted on the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control website. If the weather looks doubtful, volunteers are encouraged to check before leaving for their site. The rain date is the following Saturday, Sept. 24.

Delaware’s cleanup is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest annual clearing of trash from coastlines and lakes by volunteers. The Ocean Conservancy supplies trash bags and data cards. Delaware’s event is cosponsored by Delmarva Power, which provides T-shirts. Other key sponsors are the Dover-based Playtex Division of Energizer Personal Care, which provides gloves, and Waste Management, which will be hauling trash and recyclables following the cleanup. DNREC is responsible for organizing the event, recruiting volunteers, distributing supplies, ensuring trash removal and tabulating data. This year, the Delaware Solid Waste Authority donated the tan bags for recyclables.

For more information about the Delaware Coastal Cleanup, contact Jack Hoban, Delaware Coastal Cleanup coordinator, at 302-739-9278.