simpleways

Here are 10 ways that you can help make a difference:

1. Pick up your pet's wastes. Pet waste that reaches the ocean can make both people and marine life sick.

2. Converse energy. Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and other energy saving activities helps to slow climate change. Global warming will have dramatic impacts on our coastlines.

3. Hold on to your butt! It's best not to smoke, but if you do, make sure you dispose of your used cigarettes in a proper waste container. Cigarette butts are the number one component found on the beach - and they are not biodegradable!

4. Don't hose down your driveways. Not only does it waste water, but it causes oils and other pollutants to end up in our oceans. Use a broom and a dust pan instead.

5. Use native or climate-adapted plants in your garden. These kinds of plants use less water, which helps reduce runoff and helps keep our beaches clean.

6. Always dispose of used motor oil properly. Never dump oil in the storm drain or field. Instead, take it to a gas station or approved collection area for recycling.

7. When you go to the beach, make sure you not only pick up your trash, try and pick up at least one piece of somebody else's. If everyone did this, we'd have our beaches and coastlines looking better in no time!

8. Cut back on your use of fertilizers. Excess fertilizers that make it into our waterways can cause harmful plankton blooms that can harm fish, marine mammals, and other sea life.

9. Avoid using single-use plastic bottles and bags. These and other types f plastics end up in our beaches and in our oceans where they hard birds, sea turtles, and other marine life. Instead, use refillable bottles and reusable bags and containers. Lots of grocery and drug stores recycle dry and clean plastic bags for you!

10. Get involved with Seafoam Project! We are a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping our beaches clean and healthy. For more information on how you can help check out or "events" page or contact us!

Some facts and information used with permission from

Which is Better?

Washing your car yourself or going through an automatic car wash?

If you wash your car by hand, you might be saving a bit of money, but did you know that automatic car washes tend to use as little as 30 gallons of water per car? You'll use that amount of water in about 4 minutes if washing by hand! Not to mention the run off that carries your car’s automobile fluids, dirt, and oil - straight into your ocean!

Plastic bags or paper bags?

Always bring reusable bags with you when you do any type of shopping, but for times when you accidentally forget which is better: paper or plastic? Either pick doesn’t seem like a winner; paper bags from trees or dangerous plastic bags that never break down? Both can be recycled, but only one is notorious for harming marine life. Sea turtles commonly mistake plastic bags for their favorite food: jelly fish. This leads to starvation and death.