Trash-Free Beaches: Can Senate Pass This Law?

Marine debris is a pressing issue that affects beaches, coastal waters, estuaries, and oceans worldwide. Trash on beaches and in the ocean has serious consequences for wildlife, people, and local economies. To address this issue, the U.S. Senate has recently passed the Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, legislation introduced by Senators Dan Sullivan, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Bob Menendez. This act aims to tackle the plastic debris crisis by improving America's ability to respond to marine debris events, fostering international cooperation, and exploring innovative ways to manage and reuse plastic waste. The Senate's move is a significant step toward removing plastic pollution from beaches and protecting marine life and coastal communities. However, it is essential to note that the success of such initiatives also relies on individual actions, such as responsible waste disposal and participation in beach clean-up events.

The impact of trash on beaches and in oceans

Trash on beaches and in the ocean has a significant impact on the environment, wildlife, and people. Marine debris, including plastic waste, is a pressing issue that affects the health of marine ecosystems, wildlife, and local economies.

Every year, billions of pounds of trash and other pollutants enter the ocean, with an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastics entering marine environments annually, on top of the 200 million metric tons already circulating. This trash comes from a variety of sources, including residential and commercial waste, runoff from land activities, and coastal human activities such as tourism and fishing. Improperly disposed-of trash is washed through storm drains, rivers, and streams, eventually making its way to the ocean.

The impact of this trash is far-reaching. Marine animals, such as birds, turtles, and fish, suffer fatal consequences from ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in marine debris. Plastic pollution also attracts and concentrates other pollutants from seawater, posing a contamination risk to marine life and potentially impacting human health as well. From plankton to whales, animals across ocean ecosystems have been contaminated by plastic and other pollutants.

In addition to the environmental and health impacts, trash on beaches and in the ocean also affects local economies. The cost of cleaning up marine debris is significant, and polluted beaches can deter tourists and harm local businesses. Furthermore, trash can damage important habitats such as coral reefs, which serve as the foundation of marine ecosystems.

Efforts to combat this issue include legislation such as the Save Our Seas Act 2.0, which aims to reduce plastic waste, find uses for existing plastic waste, and tackle the problem on a global scale. Organizations like Ocean Conservancy also play a crucial role in promoting policies and organizing international cleanups to keep beaches and oceans trash-free.

The role of local communities in keeping beaches trash-free

Beach cleanups are an effective way to keep beaches trash-free and involve the local community. These cleanups can be organized by local communities, environmental groups, non-profit organizations, schools, and businesses. They can also be grassroots initiatives led by surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Surfers and water sports enthusiasts have a direct incentive to keep beaches clean as they are affected by the pollution in the waters they enjoy.

Large-scale global events like the International Coastal Cleanup Day, which takes place every year on the third Saturday of September, bring together millions of volunteers from around the world to clean beaches. Ocean Conservancy, which organizes the International Coastal Cleanup, has collected more than 300 million pounds of trash over 30 years.

Local communities play a crucial role in keeping beaches trash-free by taking ownership of the problem and working together to find solutions. They can organize their own beach cleanups, educate the public about ocean conservation, and work with local leaders to develop effective strategies. For example, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife organized Oregon's first statewide coastal cleanup in 1984.

Beach cleanups have multiple benefits. They raise public awareness about the threat of marine debris and promote environmental responsibility. They also provide an opportunity for volunteers to learn about marine ecosystems and contribute to ocean conservation through action. Additionally, clean beaches positively impact local economies by attracting tourism dollars. For instance, researchers in Southern California found that 66% of Californians ranked the absence of debris and good water quality as "very important" when deciding to visit a beach.

Local communities can also work to reduce plastic consumption and improve recycling practices. This includes reducing the use of single-use disposable products and promoting recycling and proper waste management practices. By tackling the problem at its source, communities can help prevent trash from reaching beaches and oceans in the first place.

Existing legislation aimed at reducing trash on beaches

While there is no explicit mention of a law for trash-free beaches, there are existing legislations and ongoing efforts aimed at reducing trash on beaches.

The Ocean Conservancy, for instance, has been working towards keeping beaches and oceans trash-free for over 30 years. They organize the International Coastal Cleanup, which has seen nearly 17 million volunteers from 155 countries collect more than 348 million pounds of trash. The organization also supports policies such as the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act and its companion bill in the Senate, the Trash Free Seas Act, to strengthen the national focus on marine debris.

Additionally, the US Senate has passed legislation to address marine debris and plastic waste, such as the Save Our Seas Act 2.0, which was signed into law by President Trump in 2018. This act seeks to reduce plastic waste, find new uses for existing plastic waste, and tackle the problem on a global scale. The Whitehouse-Sullivan-Menendez Marine Debris Bill is another piece of legislation that aims to improve the nation's ability to respond to marine debris events and increase international cooperation to prevent trash from reaching the oceans.

At the state level, many states have Adopt-A-Beach programs that focus on keeping beaches clean. These programs often work with local environmental groups, municipalities, and state and federal agencies to organize beach clean-up events throughout the year.

Furthermore, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee has been working on the Packaging Product Stewardship Act (S-3398), which would require producers and manufacturers of packaging products to implement plans to reduce the amount of packaging disposed of in landfills. However, this bill has faced opposition from business groups due to concerns about the practicality and potential burden on businesses.

While these legislations and initiatives do not specifically mention "trash-free beaches," they demonstrate a concerted effort to address the issue of trash in marine environments, which includes the reduction of trash on beaches.

The potential for new laws to address the issue

The new Act seeks to reduce the creation of plastic waste, find innovative uses for existing plastic waste, and tackle the problem on a global scale through international cooperation. It also addresses the impact of marine debris on public health and the economy, with a focus on protecting coastal communities and the environment. This includes exploring ways to manage and reuse plastic waste, with a particular emphasis on Alaska due to its extensive coastline.

The passage of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act demonstrates a bipartisan effort to address the pressing issue of marine debris and plastic pollution. It is a significant step forward in the fight to protect our oceans and beaches from the harmful effects of plastic waste. This legislation empowers communities to take action and make a difference, such as through beach clean-up events and local environmental initiatives.

However, it is important to note that some laws can have unintended consequences. For example, in Florida, a law was passed that made it harder for local governments to adopt ordinances guaranteeing public access to privately-owned beaches. This law was intended to protect private property rights but ended up making it more challenging for people to enjoy the beaches.

Overall, the potential for new laws to address the issue of trash-free beaches is promising, as demonstrated by the success of the Save Our Seas Acts. By improving the management and reduction of waste, promoting recycling, and supporting local initiatives, we can make significant progress in keeping our beaches clean and protecting the environment.

The importance of individual actions in preventing beach trash

While the passing of laws like the Save Our Seas Act 2.0 is a step in the right direction, individual actions are crucial in preventing beach trash and keeping our beaches and oceans trash-free. Marine debris is a significant problem that affects beaches, coastal waters, estuaries, and oceans worldwide. It is not just an ocean problem but a people problem, and individuals can make a difference through their actions.

One important way individuals can help is by properly disposing of trash and waste. This includes using waste and recycling receptacles and bringing an extra bag to the beach to take trash home if receptacles are not available. Individuals can also participate in beach clean-up events, which are organized by various groups, including local environmental organizations, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. These clean-up events help remove trash and debris that can pollute the water and raise awareness about the issue of marine pollution.

In addition to participating in organized clean-ups, individuals can take it upon themselves to pick up trash when they encounter it on the beach. Every piece of trash picked up matters, and these small actions can add up to make a significant impact. Individuals can also support organizations dedicated to keeping beaches and oceans clean, such as Ocean Conservancy, which has been working on the ocean plastics challenge for over 35 years.

Another way individuals can contribute is by reducing their plastic consumption and properly disposing of plastic waste. Plastic pollution is a significant issue, with an estimated 200 million metric tons of plastic currently circulating in marine environments. By reducing plastic use and disposing of plastic waste properly, individuals can help prevent this pollution from entering our oceans and affecting the health of wildlife, people, and local economies.

Individual actions, such as proper waste disposal, participation in beach clean-ups, personal initiatives to pick up trash, supporting dedicated organizations, and reducing plastic consumption, are crucial in preventing beach trash and protecting our oceans and coastal ecosystems. While laws and policies are important, it is the collective effort of individuals that will make the most significant difference in tackling the problem of marine debris.

Frequently asked questions