Trash collectors: Palm Coast hosts 14th-annual Intracoastal Waterway Cleanup

Volunteers have collected more than 20,000 pounds since 2008.

By Brian McMillan
| 1:50 p.m. September 6, 2021

Malia Raymond

Kelly Rosa, Kay Ramond and Amanda Pearce

City of Palm Coast employees Jacqueline Gonzalez and Damaris Ramirez, at the Community Center

FPC Student Government Association members: back row: Nick Growth, Nigel-Ginola Njok and Haard Patel; front: Abigail Taylor, Chloe Long and Madelin Sims

Pack 402 Committee Chairwoman Janet Stott and troop member Joseph Stott

Julianna Howard and Chris Howard

Sylvie Randall

Sylvie Randall and Lori Char

Lori Char

Brent Foster

Theresa Corbett

Aimee Corbett and Theresa Corbett

Kay Ramond and Grant McMillan

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

A freezer door, some plastic bags, a toy doll's shoe, and lots and lots of cigarette butts.

Volunteers joined forces Sept. 4 for the city of Palm Coast's 14th-annual Intracoastal Waterway Cleanup. Commemorative T-shirts, as well as trash bags and gloves, were distributed at the Community Center

“Since 2008, the City of Palm Coast has utilized this event to not only clean up the Intracoastal Waterway, but as a way to bring our residents together,” Interim City Manager Denise Bevan said in a press release. “This is a family-friendly event that allows every participant to make an impact on our community by preserving and protecting the environment.”

Since 2008, volunteers have collected more than 20,000 pounds of trash. The event is supported by a $5,000 Florida Inland Navigation District grant.

Which debris items are riskiest for wildlife?

Fishing gear
Plastic bags
Balloons
Plastic beverage bottles
Cigarette butts

Source: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/An_analysis_of_marine_debris_in_the_US_SUMMARY_508.pdf

Microplastics in Florida

September is Microplastics Awareness Month.

What are microplastics?
Microplastics are pieces of plastic debris that are 5 mm or less in size. Primary microplastics start out that small, while secondary microplastics begin as larger pieces of plastics — like plastic bottles or cigarette butts — and are degraded to microplastic size over time.

Why are they harmful?
Aquatic and marine animals — including threatened and endangered ones like sea turtles — can end up ingesting microplastics. The animals then may absorb toxins from the plastics themselves, or from harmful chemicals that can stick to plastic surfaces in the marine environment.

How can you reduce microplastics?

Reduce use of single-use plastics
Avoid personal care items that include polyethylene and other plastics
When possible, choose clothing made from natural rather than synthetic fibers

Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf%5CSS%5CSS64900.pdf

— Jonathan Simmons contributed to this report.

author

Brian McMillan

Brian McMillan and his wife, Hailey, bought the Observer in 2023. Before taking on his role as publisher, Brian was the editor from 2010 to 2022, winning numerous awards for his column writing, photography and journalism, from the Florida Press Association.