Help keep our waters and beaches litter-free
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Pack your cooler with reusable, non-breakable containers along with plates, cups, and silverware. Remember reusable napkins and straws as well. This will minimize on-site waste and disposal. Disposable items, such as straws accumulate and have adverse effects on wildlife and the environment. Many reusable straws are available to help you enjoy that cool beverage at the beach on a sunny day.
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Lend a hand. If you encounter a discarded soda can or other similar garbage on the beach - take a second, pick it up, and dispose of it properly. Bring a pair of gloves and a compostable bag for this purpose. A small shovel or trash picker-upper can be a helpful clean-up tool too. Always wash your hands after cleaning up. Please don't handle hazardous waste. Instead, contact the park owner if possible to address any hazardous waste you may come across on the beach.
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Don't leave food scraps. These can be harmful to both wildlife and the environment.
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Replace sand to its original state. Remember, sandcastles are just as much fun to demolish as they are to build. Want to preserve your masterpiece? Take a picture. Don't forget to bring plastic pails, shovels, and other beach toys home. If forgotten, they can become another form of litter on the beach.
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Don't release balloons or lanterns as is sometimes done to mark occasions or for a memorial. Balloons can harm birds, fish, and other wildlife, as well as pollute our waters and lands. Try alternative ways to remember or celebrate. Try an environmentally friendly bubble solution. Read more about balloon alternatives.
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Make sure you bring a refillable water bottle - this is another way to avoid potential plastic contamination on the beach and in the water. It is important to stay hydrated on hot days, but it is also important to not pollute.
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Carry out what you carry in unless there are appropriate disposal receptacles available for you to use on-site. Bring two bags - one for recyclable items and another for garbage. Follow the 7 principles of Leave No TraceTM.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink:
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Reduce the amount of disposable items you use to minimize the amount of waste you create;
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Reuse and repurpose items that you may no longer have a need for;
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Recycle everything you can! Making an effort to separate your items will help reduce the number of items ending up in a landfill; and
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Rethink your daily activities, the materials you use, and the items you discard. There are many simple changes we can make in our lifestyles to help the environment, which ultimately help marine animals.
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Make sure the only foam at the beach comes from the ocean waves. Styrofoam coolers, cups, plates, and more can injure and sicken wildlife. New York State is going foam free thanks to a new law which took effect in January 2022. Let's keep our beaches foam free as well.
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Check to see if pets are allowed. If you can and do bring your pet to the beach, make sure to clean up after them (this is important for water quality) and make sure they stay away from Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs).
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Do not leave any fishing gear behind. Fishing gear can injure people and wildlife such as birds, seals, and sea turtles.
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Clean, drain, and dry any recreational equipment or beach toys -- to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
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Volunteer your time and make donations -- Getting involved at a local level is a great way to help marine life. Consider donating to or volunteering with local organizations. Beach and park clean-ups are a great opportunity to connect with the community and help protect the environment.
Visit DEC's website to learn more about how you can be a friend of the environment.
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