From Mobile to Dauphin Island, to Gulf Shores and Fairhope, Coastal Alabama is getting ready for a large cleanup effort later this month.
On Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. until noon, the Alabama Coastal Cleanup returns for its 35th year. The name of the event this year is “Get the Trash Out of the Splash.”
There are cleanup zones where volunteers can check in listed on the Alabama Coastal Cleanup website.
The cleanup day goes along with National Estuaries Week, which is Sept. 17 - 24. The week is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness and increase support for Alabama's bays, estuaries and coasts.
Aquatic trash becomes marine debris once it reaches the ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said trash is more than a nuisance for tourism and recreation. Trash can impact plants and animals. The EPA is most concerned with plastic waste, which can have a more widespread impact because it is not biodegradable and can be very dangerous if ingested.
If you want to help with the cleanup, contact Alabama Coastal Cleanup organizers on Facebook.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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