Record Amount Of Trash Hauled From N.J. Beaches
SANDY HOOK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - It's a dubious distinction for New Jersey.
WCBS 880's Peter Haskell on the unsightly sands in Sandy Hook
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Clean Ocean Action, an environmental group who has been cleaning New Jersey's beaches for 25 years, said a record amount of trash was hauled from the state's coastline last year.
The group says 475,321 pieces of trash were collected from 127 miles of shoreline.
Plastic products made up about three-quarters of all the trash collected. Some 61,895 plastic caps and lids were picked up.
Cigarette filters recovered hit an all-time high: 45,903.
There were plenty of personal items: 5,932 tampon applicators, 485 condoms and 347 syringes.
Among the more unusual items collected along the beach: a small bag of heroin, a gas tank, a scooter, candles shaped like people, a ballet slipper, a keg of beer, four televisions and a toilet seat.
What do you make of the items recovered? What should be done to help keep the beaches clean? Sound off in our comments section.
