On May 29th, the EHS Rotary Club, from 9am to 2pm, undertook the hefty task of cleaning Sandy Hook, a beach located in Middletown, New Jersey. The beach is renowned for its maritime history and has six designated ocean beaches: Beach B, Beach C, Beach D, Beach E, North Beach, and Gunnison Beach. Each year, Sandy Hook draws two million visitors because of its unique blend of natural beauty and historical landmark, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse.
Yet, with this beauty comes an ongoing issue common in the Garden State: mounds of garbage ashore. This problem stems not only from the overwhelming amount of waste washed ashore but also from visitors who neglect to dispose of their trash properly.
Since 1998, Sandy Hook has implemented a carry-in/carry-out policy, which requires visitors to take their trash home instead of using park-provided trash receptacles. This policy worked for a while, but recently, trash started to pile up in the park, especially in the restrooms and on the beach. As a result, under the recent clear skies, EHS Rotary Club made a great effort to tackle this issue. Their organized cleanup allowed club members to come together and beautify the beach.
“While the work was tedious, it was encouraging to know that we were contributing to a cleaner environment,” said Charles Kersting ‘27, a participant.
By the end of the day, students and staff had collected over 130 pounds of trash from the beach and gained a better understanding of beach pollution and its effects.
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The EHS Rotary board, advisors, and members of the club pose in front of the 130 pounds of trash they collected on their annual Sandy Hook Beach Cleanup trip.
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After a successful beach cleanup, Rotary members enjoyed well-deserved Playa Bowls on the sand.
“I wanted to help save the environment and the animals that live in it from the waste we spread around so freely,” said Heidi Pellek ‘28, another participant.
Additionally, with the help of their sponsor, Playa Bowls, Rotary members were able to end their day with some refreshing açai bowls, turning their trip and efforts into an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
“It was a perfect beach day, and a great opportunity for students to help out the community,” said advisor Mr. Howard Manson.
The cleanup efforts were a crucial first step towards mitigating beach pollution, helping to remove unwanted rubbish. To continue making an impact, EHS students can participate in local beach cleanups, reduce their use of plastic, and avoid littering, contributing to a cleaner Earth for all.