By Liam Dennehy
LEWES — Delaware Technical Community College students helped contribute to the international effort to clean up oceans at this year's Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 14.
Volunteers walked along the beaches of Cape Henlopen State Park assigned to pick up trash and waste embedded throughout the summer.
The Department of Environmental Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) partnered with 30 Delaware Tech volunteers.
Event director and volunteer Jose Miller, said “When it comes to us, we just want to provide support for the community.”
Miller said the annual cleanup is a way to help prepare for next summer and the upcoming tourist season.
Student volunteers brought guests to help with the cleanup and improve event productivity.
“If they bring their friends and family along with them, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’ll be over 40 or 50 volunteers,” Miller said.
Michele Warch, assistant director of the Coastal Cleanup and volunteer, said she strongly believes in the importance of caring for the environment and community and the efforts of the Coastal Cleanup provide the opportunity to do both.
“I love that I can participate with my colleagues and our families to make a difference beyond the work we do on campus,” she said.
Volunteers assembled at the Fishing Pier at Cape Henlopen State Park. For three hours, Delaware Tech students walked the beaches of the state park with trash bags, gloves, and shovels to ensure no trash was left to contaminate the coastline.
Volunteer and frequent beachgoer Caroline Miller, said she comes out to the state park nearly everyday “just to clean the beach. Although, I am finding lots of small things.”
About 12 million tonnes of plastic is thrown away into the ocean each year. The annual Coastal Cleanup gives Delaware Tech Students and volunteers the opportunity to clean local shorelines, and the international effort to clean the world's oceans.
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