Volunteers Keep Marco Beach Pristine and Clean

On April 13th, the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Beach Cleanup and a big shout-out to the 40+ volunteers who showed up at South Beach. As usual, the Marco Island Academy (MIA) Key Club members were there as they are every month; their regular presence at the monthly beach cleanups is inspiring. MIA Key Club is a student-led organization that provides its members with many opportunities for community service, building character and developing leadership skills. Many residents also participate and want to give back and make a difference.

April is National Volunteer Month and a great time to recognize all the beach cleanup volunteers and sponsors.

The monthly beach cleanup is an all-volunteer effort organized through the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee which works with local monthly sponsors. According to Dianna Dohm, Executive Director of the Marco Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber has been a Beach Cleanup sponsor for over 10 years, and this is a way to encourage Marco residents and visitors to get involved and give back. Signing up every year reaffirms the Chamber’s commitment to a clean and pristine world-class beach.

Nathaniel O’Donnell has been with the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee for almost eight years. His oldest daughter was eight years old when she participated in her first beach cleanup. Now, she is a senior at Lely High School, and his youngest daughter is in the seventh grade. O’Donnell said they loved the time spent at the beach looking for unusual items after a storm.

According to O’Donnell, in 2023, volunteers collected over 700 pounds of trash. For a windy day like Saturday, volunteers hauled in over 45 pounds of trash, and common items were bits and pieces of plastic half buried near the vegetation line, soda and water bottles, cigarette butts, fishing lines, foam to-go food containers, a toothbrush, glass bottles and assorted footwear that was left behind. These found items are just one step closer to the ocean and the beach cleanup is the last chance to stop its trip to the ocean.

The big surprise at the April beach cleanup was the buckets full (at least 100) of single-use straws. One volunteer claimed they might be biodegradable which are designed to break down naturally as they are often made from plant-based materials like paper, bamboo, or hay. According to experts, it can take anywhere from two to six months or up to two years for biodegradable straws to break down, depending on what they are made of.

Often, you’ll hear volunteers ask themselves, “How can people leave this trash behind?” During a beach cleanup, volunteers come face to face with the ugly things people leave on the beach, most of which will end up polluting the ocean.

On the upside, walkers would often stop to find out what’s happening and will ask when the next beach cleanup is scheduled, appreciating and thanking the volunteers for cleaning the beach. 

Sometimes during the conversation you’ll find an opportunity to educate on the harm supermarket single-use plastic bags do to marine life. It may not seem like much when you think of picking up trash on the beach for two hours once a month, but your efforts prevented 45 pounds of trash from entering and polluting the ocean environment. Every little bit helps.

During peak season, Marco balloons to a 45,000+ winter population with a year-round population of around 15,000. Both visitors and residents call this Island Paradise. And the beach is considered Marco’s crown jewel and many people’s “Happy Place.”

So, a big thanks to all the beach cleanup volunteers who are making a big difference in keeping Marco’s beach pristine, clean and safe.