SLAUGHTER BEACH, Del. - Plastic pieces, food wrappers and even a purse were among the items collected along Slaughter Beach during an Earth Day cleanup event Tuesday.
Staff from DNREC and the DuPont Nature Center organized the effort, where volunteers used trash pickers to clean up debris while gaining a deeper understanding of Delaware Bay’s significance.
“It was a great learning experience, and we learned how important the bay has been throughout history,” said volunteer Michelle B.
The most common item found along the shoreline was plastic, but DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson said much of the litter likely didn't originate from Slaughter Beach.
“It has gone in the water somewhere else and floated here,” Patterson said.
Officials say the trash poses a danger to horseshoe crabs and other marine life along the beach.
“What you can see is it starts to degrade, which means it’s getting more hazardous for animals,” Patterson said.
He added that plastic pollution can also impact humans.
“It can break down, get into rivers and streams that supply drinking water, and that means it gets into water and people's bloodstreams,” Patterson said.
It's why DNREC Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb said caring for the planet shouldn’t be limited to just one day a year.
“Get involved in Earth Day activities every day,” Cobb said.
Organizers say even small efforts, one bag of trash at a time, make a difference for the beaches, the wildlife and the community.
Earth Day cleanups and events will continue throughout April, including tree plantings and guided nature walks across the state.
A full list of events can be found here.