ARCHIVED ARTICLES AND UPDATES
Catch up and read some of our past news.
cleanup planned after July Fourth festivities
Gary Solomon is named one of National Public Lands Day Volunteers of the Year.
Oceanfront Park, Boynton Beach, Florida
December 26, 2008
In 2005, Gary Solomon approached the City of Boynton Beach requesting free entrance to Oceanfront Park to clean the beach each Monday. Gary was determined and diligent in his request and the City of Boynton Beach partnered with him and co-sponsored the volunteer group Gary formed - the Sand Sifters. In no time, Gary recruited 100 volunteers who clean the beach each month. The City helped Gary link with the Solid Waste Authority through their Adopt-A-Spot program. In addition to participating in National Public Lands Day, the group hosts the Great American, International Coastal, and All American cleanups, as well as their own themed events.
Gary has created partnerships with other regional government and non-profit agencies to benefit the local environment. Gary’s volunteer efforts have been invaluable by providing outlets for community service hours, an informative website, tree give-a-ways, community education, and by maintaining an email list of 800 environmental volunteers. Gary works hard to keep our beaches and parks litter-free while maintaining the ecological integrity needed to preserve wildlife. Gary welcomes everyone to join the group with a friendly and enthusiastic personality.
Through Gary’s organization, the Sand Sifters have reached out to the county to provide free sea life lectures and sea turtle awareness programs. Concerned with the overall welfare of the community, Gary has expanded area cleanups to include toy and food drives benefiting local charities. The success of the Sand Sifters and the benefits to our environment would not be possible if it were not for the wholehearted dedication of Gary Solomon.
--Vicki Robertson, Boynton Beach, Florida
Boynton Beach volunteer wins national environmental volunteer award
December 23, 2008
Life's a beach for Sand Sifters founder Gary Solomon. He is one of three people nationwide named last week as a National Public Lands Day 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Solomon, 47, of Boynton Beach, was nominated for his efforts to care for the environment, host beach clean-up efforts and create partnerships with local governments and other agencies in benefit of the environment.
The Sand Sifters is a nonprofit group from Boynton Beach that has been dedicated to cleaning up southern Palm Beach County's coastal areas since 2005.
Criteria for volunteers of the year included community impact, enthusiasm and the organization's longevity, said Robb Hampton, program director for National Public Lands Day, a Washington, D.C.-based National Environmental Education Foundation Program.
National Public Lands Day was celebrated on Sept. 27 this year.
— Erika Pesantes
City welcomes first 'green' office to Marina Village
By Mike Rothman | Forum Publishing Group
December 17, 2008
Boynton Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor welcomed the first "green" office to the city Dec. 8 at 100 NE Sixth St. in the Marina Village.
City spokesman Wayne Segal said the office was part of an initiative to attract "green" businesses to Boynton Beach.
Segal said heating, cooling and powering office space were responsible for almost 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the country, and account for more than 70 percent of annual electricity usage in the United States.
In its new office, architectural firm Environmental Dynamics, Inc. has incorporated design, construction and operational practices that will significantly reduce negative impacts on the environment and company employees, Segal said.
Taylor recognized EDI for being the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified office in the city. The LEED "green" building rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
To be LEED-certified, a business must lower operating costs and increase asset value, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy, conserve water, make the business healthier for occupants, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
The qualifications to be certified go along with the fact that "green" businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems.
Taylor also discussed how "green" jobs are the key to the country's economic recovery and long-term growth.
He said local government could be a catalyst for the creation of these "green" jobs.
Taylor also said that since February, the city has been working to develop a long-term environmental plan to reduce carbon emissions.
As part of the plan, the city is trying to identify opportunities where a demand for "green" business exists and targeting an economic incentive program to attract these types of businesses.
Stace McGee, principal with EDI, said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of Taylor and city officials to develop a "green" city.
"I think they want to make it part of a long-term goal to be more efficient and even save money by helping the environment," McGee said.
Gary Solomon, founder of the Sand Sifters, a local environmental cleanup group, said he would also like to see the city go "green" on its own buildings, including Boynton Beach City Hall, and convert government vehicles to hybrids.
"These are things I bet they are doing as we speak and things they need to do," Solomon said. "These are things we can control and can do."
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.
"The Big Dig"
October 18, 2008
R.A.Halasz
On a sunny Saturday morning many turned out to volunteer and help plant and creat a wild habitat at the Boynton Beach Recreation and Art Center. The project was headed up by Vicki Robertson whose vision came to fruition with the help of Sand Sifter volunteers as well as others from the community.
Bird houses, a bat house, bird baths and squirrel eating centers were just a few of the things that were put in around that Art center to intice the wildlife. Some of the plant life that was put in is endangered therefore this project is also important for maintaining and sustaining the plant life that one day may be lost.
Many pitched in from pulling roots to plants trees to make this area a brighter and more environmentally friendly one. With so much help the project that was slated to go from 8:00am to past 12:00pm was completed and cleaned up by 11:30. Without these habitats and gardens our world would be a bleeker place. Keeping it clean and revitalizing our community makes a world of difference. So thank you to people like Vicki Robertson who take the time and care enough to make a difference.
Volunteers to turn art center into wildlife-friendly area
| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 15, 2008
The Sand Sifters, a local nonprofit beach cleanup group, will be bringing some of its volunteers to the Boynton Beach Art Center, 125 SE Second Ave., from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdayto help other volunteers plant wildflowers and native plants around the facility.
"They are digging up the entire perimeter of the facility and planting all new plants to attract wildlife," said Gary Solomon, Sand Sifters organizer. "We just want to help the city and bring some of our volunteers to help."
Solomon said the idea behind planting the new flowers is to attract birds, squirrels, butterflies and other wildlife to the area.
"They have a lot of after-school activities there with kids," he said.
The city is working toward an eco-minded approach to gardening, including the minimal use of chemicals and pesticides, said Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman.
Building on a commitment to Earth-friendly practices, staff members are removing all areas of lawn and planting native plants that will help offer a refuge for wildlife where they can thrive in an urban area.
Cangelosi said the results would provide a space to educate residents about the importance of creating places for wildlife, as well as where residents can retreat to a green space in their community.
The volunteers will be planting 300 new native plants, which will help to provide food and water sources, places for cover and areas where wildlife can raise their offspring.
"Those are the criteria that the National Wildlife Federation requires to make an area a Certified Wildlife Habitat," said Vicki Robertson, Art Center spokeswoman.
She said all city employees have annual goals and the habitat was one of hers.
"Hopefully the habitat will also be educational for the kids here as well as good for the environment," she said.
SAND SIFTERS ADOPT ANOTHER PARK
South Florida Parenting Magazine:
KIDS CROWN AWARDS 2008
BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR KIDS
SAND SIFTERS: BEACH CLEAN UP
July 2008
On the first Saturday of each month from 8 to 10:30 a.m., this enthusiastic volunteer organization meets at one of three local "adopted" beaches and scours the shores for litter. Just check the Web site schedule or call to discover where the group will be meeting. Sand Sifters will provide free parking, garbage bags, gloves, litter grabbers and T-shirts. Groups from businesses, schools and churches also are encouraged to participate. Community-service hours are available, as well as educational tours on subjects such as sea turtle nesting.
For more information pertiaining to the Kids Crown Awards or South Florida Parenting Magazine Click Here.
"All American Cleanup" a success!
July 7, 2008
By R.A. Halasz- Sand Sifter Core Memeber
Saturday July 5th was the Sand Sifters 1st annual "All American Cleanup". Sponsored by Tom's of Maine and the city of Boynton Beach the event was very successful. Many volunteer showed up to help cleanup Oceanfront Park and the surrounding beach areas. Free samples from Tom's of Maine were giving out as well as free t-shirts. Michael Halasz a core member grilled the all American hotdog for our hungry volunteers as well. Also thanks to WPBF news station the Sand Sifters were given live shots several times throughtout the morning to help promote their event and encourage people to come down and help clean the beach.
Also at the event were volunteers from Unforgotten Soldier. They were collecting donations for their cause to send over to our troops. Sand Sifters feel it is important to give back to the community not just by cleaning it up but by putting forth the effort to stimulate the whole community to work together.
Hopefully these events will keep growing and the Sand Sifters will attract new volunteers along with their loyal and committed volunteers that have been part of this important endevor from the start. Sand Sifters would like to thank all that have particpated and hope to have the continued success due to caring volunteers.
Group hits beaches to clean up after July 4
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
If you're lucky, on the night of the Fourth of July you can watch a clear, starry sky fill with a colorful array of fireworks over the shimmering ocean waters.But what about the next morning? "It's kind of a nightmare," said Kirt Rusenko, a marine conservationist with the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex in Boca Raton. "It's a mess."
Local beaches are littered with washed up rockets, beer bottles and other leftovers from revelers. That's why Sand Sifters, a Boynton Beach-based volunteer group, has organized the first "All-American Cleanup" during the days following July 4 at beaches across Palm Beach County. "The dirt washes from one beach to another, so we're trying to cover the whole county," said Gary Solomon, organizer and founder of Sand Sifters.
But the litter is only the beginning of the problems caused by the festivities. It's almost impossible to find a new sea turtle nest the morning after, even though it's during the height of the nesting season. "The hatchlings get disoriented from the fireworks being set off," Rusenko said. He said there are a number of "false crawls," meaning that the turtles come out on the beach, but are then scared back into the water.
The turtles instinctively go toward light, which can lead to a very dangerous situation when bonfires are lighted on the beach. Rusenko said that he has a photograph of 300 hatchlings that burned in a bonfire on Ascension Island.
Other marine animals and birds are also in danger if they eat the plastic from leftover fireworks fins. Solomon said that even beachgoers aren't immune to the problems left behind."Some kids pick up fireworks that haven't exploded yet," he said.
The first cleanups are scheduled for Saturday at Oceanfront Park in Boynton Beach from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and Ocean Cay Park in Jupiter from 8 to 10 a.m.
The cleanups will continue on July 12 - in order to collect debris and trash that was delayed in washing on shore - at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton and Winding Water Natural Area in West Palm Beach. Both cleanups, which are scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m., require pre-registration. To register for the cleanup at Spanish River Park, contact Susan Elliot at Gumbo Limbo at (561) 338-1542. For the Winding Water cleanup, call (561) 233-2426.
Although special attention is needed after July 4, Solomon said he hopes that volunteers return for the regular monthly cleanups the group organizes."We just want to keep things clean year-round and make life better for everyone," he said.
Help clean up Boynton Beach after July 4 fireworks
| Forum Publishing Group
12:19 PM EDT, June 17, 2008
June 19, 2008
The Sand Sifters, aBoynton Beach cleanup group, is having an "All American Cleanup" from 8 to 10:30 a.m. July 5 at Oceanfront Park. Gary Solomon, Sand Sifters organizer, said the cleanup will start at the group's usual meeting spot, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd., and volunteers will clean a 5-mile stretch of oceanfront. "It is important because it is the day after July 4 and we need to remove leftover fireworks from the beach that can be dangerous," Solomon said.
High school students can earn community service hours. Volunteers get a free hot dog or T-shirt for participating. Forgotten Soldiers Outreach of Boynton Beach also will be at the cleanup collecting chewing gum, small boxes of raisins, dried fruit, nuts and Visine to send to troops overseas.
The Sand Sifters, a Boynton Beachcleanup group, is having an "All American Cleanup" from 8 to 10:30 a.m. July 5 at Oceanfront Park. "It is a huge cleanup," said Gary Solomon, Sand Sifters organizer. The cleanup is set to take place at the group's usual meeting spot, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd. and volunteers will clean up a five-mile stretch of the oceanfront.
Solomon said the point of the cleanup is to collect fireworks people have left behind fromthe day before."It is important because it is the day after July 4 and we need to remove fruit, nuts and Visine to send to troops overseas.
Boynton Beach: Beach
Group plans beach cleanup to protect turtles
By Linda Haase
Neighborhood Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
For beach lovers, the sand offers a comfy seat and a pretty place to stroll. For sea turtles, these fine grains are essential for survival. That's the only place they will lay their eggs. And that's why it's even more important to join the first Be Green, Spring Clean at Oceanfront Park March 1 - which also is the first day of sea turtle nesting season.
Volunteers will scour the beach, picking up trash that not only blights Mother Nature, but could endanger the sea turtles on their trek to and from the ocean. "They are depending on dark beaches and no interference to find the water as quickly as possible," said Leanne Welch, environmental program supervisor for the county's department of environmental resources management.
Welch will be at the event, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Oceanfront Park, to give a turtle talk. She'll be discussing ways people can help ensure the survival of turtles. It's also the kickoff of Be Green, Start Clean said Gary Solomon, the founder of Sand Sifters, which initiated the project with the support of the city's recreation and parks department and the county. "We established the campaign to encourage monthly beach and park cleanups and plantings throughout the county," he said. "We also want to educate people about ecology and litter prevention."
Four other sites in the county are participating in the March 1 cleanup and a sixth, Gulfstream Park, will hold a March 15 cleanup. Solomon hopes that 10,000 pounds of trash can be picked up at the six sites. It's hard to believe there's that much trash on the beach, which is why Solomon is hoping the March event jump starts monthly trash pickups at beaches and parks throughout the county.
"From beach cleanups to beautifying parks, we can all work together for the greater good of our precious resource, our natural habitat. Waterways, animals, plants as well as humans all benefit from keeping our environment free from litter and harmful debris," according to www.BeGreenStartClean.org And that includes the turtles. Last year, there were 20 nests found in Oceanfront Park and 283 on beaches from Manalapan to Gulfstream, Welch said. Green, leatherback and loggerhead turtles are expected to lay eggs during the season, which ends Oct. 31. It takes about an hour to lay the 80 to 150 eggs in each nest and 60 days for them to hatch.
But, Welch said, only one hatchling of every 5,000 eggs survive to adulthood to reproduce. That's why it's even more important that they don't choke on trash or get tangled up in lines or nets. There have even been instances of turtles getting caught in chairs left on the beach, she said. "Our nighttime visitors are very important. We have to take care of them," Welch said.
WE ARE SO PROUD
The Sand Sifters were given the"Distinguished Community Volunteer Team Award"for 2007 by Palm County Parks and Recreation Department. This makes our very 1st award. We thank all our volunteers who made it possible for us to keep growing and to make a difference.
Group plans beach cleanup to protect turtles
By Linda Haase
Neighborhood Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
For beach lovers, the sand offers a comfy seat and a pretty place to stroll. For sea turtles, these fine grains are essential for survival. That's the only place they will lay their eggs. And that's why it's even more important to join the first Be Green, Spring Clean at Oceanfront Park March 1 - which also is the first day of sea turtle nesting season.
Volunteers will scour the beach, picking up trash that not only blights Mother Nature, but could endanger the sea turtles on their trek to and from the ocean. "They are depending on dark beaches and no interference to find the water as quickly as possible," said Leanne Welch, environmental program supervisor for the county's department of environmental resources management.
Welch will be at the event, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Oceanfront Park, to give a turtle talk. She'll be discussing ways people can help ensure the survival of turtles. It's also the kickoff of Be Green, Start Clean said Gary Solomon, the founder of Sand Sifters, which initiated the project with the support of the city's recreation and parks department and the county. "We established the campaign to encourage monthly beach and park cleanups and plantings throughout the county," he said. "We also want to educate people about ecology and litter prevention."
Four other sites in the county are participating in the March 1 cleanup and a sixth, Gulfstream Park, will hold a March 15 cleanup. Solomon hopes that 10,000 pounds of trash can be picked up at the six sites. It's hard to believe there's that much trash on the beach, which is why Solomon is hoping the March event jump starts monthly trash pickups at beaches and parks throughout the county.
"From beach cleanups to beautifying parks, we can all work together for the greater good of our precious resource, our natural habitat. Waterways, animals, plants as well as humans all benefit from keeping our environment free from litter and harmful debris," according to www.BeGreenStartClean.org And that includes the turtles. Last year, there were 20 nests found in Oceanfront Park and 283 on beaches from Manalapan to Gulfstream, Welch said. Green, leatherback and loggerhead turtles are expected to lay eggs during the season, which ends Oct. 31. It takes about an hour to lay the 80 to 150 eggs in each nest and 60 days for them to hatch.
But, Welch said, only one hatchling of every 5,000 eggs survive to adulthood to reproduce. That's why it's even more important that they don't choke on trash or get tangled up in lines or nets. There have even been instances of turtles getting caught in chairs left on the beach, she said. "Our nighttime visitors are very important. We have to take care of them," Welch said.
WE ARE SO PROUD The Sand Sifters were given the"Distinguished Community Volunteer Team Award"for 2007 by Palm County Parks and Recreation Department. This makes our very 1st award. We thank all our volunteers who made it possible for us to keep growing and to make a difference.
|
Be Green, Start Clean! Cleanups planned countywide
By Mike Rothman
Boynton Forum
February, 20, 2008
After six months of planning and preparation, The Be Green, Start Clean! Campaign in Boynton Beach is set to be launched with a kick-off event from 8-10:30 a.m. March 1. In addition to the monthly cleanups that take place at Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd.,
the Mrach 1 cleanup will be the first Be Green event. Be Green, Start Clean! Is a countywide educational anti-litter campaign started by the Sand Sifters, a local volunteer cleanup group. Other environmental groups in Palm Beach County have followed the city’s lead and picked up the campaign, said Gary Solomon, Sand Sifters’ organizer. In addition to the Sand Sifter’s kick-off event at Oceanfront Park, several other Palm Beach County cleanups will have the same theme of Be Green, Start Clean! Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton will have a cleanup at 9 a.m. at Spanish River Park, 3001 N. Ocean Blvd. The other county cleanups are coordinated to take place on the same day, March 1, to celebrate the beginning of Be Green, Start Clean!, Solomon said.
“We want this campaign to succeed and go even further with it in the future,” said Jody Rivers, the city’s parks superintendent. Solomon said without Rivers and the city’s help the educational project would never have gotten off the ground. “We follow the Sand Sifters lead,” Rivers said. “everything the group has done has been beneficial to the city and to the environment.” The new Be Green campaign includes signage all around the county against littering and educational and after school programs in the area. Rivers said the idea is to teach children at a young age about the dangers of littering. Solomon said County Commissioner Mary McCarty, among other government representaives, would be at Oceanfront Park March 1 for the event.
Banyan Creek students branch out for Arbor Day
| Forum Publishing Group
February 6, 2008
Eight third-grade classes at Banyan Creek Elementary School planted trees, took part in environmentally safe activities, and packed earth friendly lunches as part of Arbor Day 2008. The school teamed with members of the city of Delray Beach's Litter Prevention Program to celebrate Arbor Day Feb. 1 at Barwick Park, "Each class will be planting one tree," said Jennifer Buce, the program's coordinator. More than 160 faces lighted up in amazement. "Two years ago we planted live oaks," she said. This year was a little different. Students spent the first hour working their way through eight stations. The first station included toilet paper rolls collected during a school campaign.
Students rolled the cardboard in honey or a peanut butter paste and dipped their project in birdseed to create an environmentally friendly bird feeder. Third-grader Angelina Bulatao, 8, described the project. "We put honey or peanut butter on it, then rolled it into birdseed," she said. Students were excited to share Arbor Day activities and health tasks they learned. "We walked here from school to get our heart pumping and blood flowing, and packed environmentally friendly lunches," said Gabriela Vukaj, 9. "Whichever class produces the least amount of trash from their lunches wins a prize."
Students spent their last Arbor Day hour helping city maintenance workers place the tree in the ground. The workers showed the students how to dig a hole properly, and classes placed slash pines in holes and filled them with dirt. "Today has been an exciting day. It was picture day. so the first part of the day, they dressed fancy," said third-grade teacher Yvone Robinson. "Then they changed in their play clothes for Arbor Day."
Nebraska newspaper editor Julius Sterling Morton started Arbor Day in the 1870s. Morton said planting trees would help beautify the state, provide shade and create windbreaks to prevent soil erosion. In 1872 he proposed a tree-planting day, and today, Arbor Day is observed in the United States and in many countries. "Fortunately, living in Florida, we can plant almost any time," Buce said.
The third-graders received help from Gary Solomon and Robyn Halasz of the Sand Sifters, a volunteer beach cleanup group in Boynton Beach that also raises awareness about litter and the environment.
Solomon and Halasz recently joined forces with Buce to work on the "Be Green, Start Clean!" anti-litter campaign.
Highland Beachwants debris on private beaches cleaned up
| South Florida Sun-Sentinel December 2, 2007
Hypodermic needles, rope and plastic bags are some of the items that have washed ashore along private beaches.
The issue is most apparent in Highland Beach, where the majority of the 3-mile shore is private and the town's Beaches and Shores Advisory Board said littering laws aren't strictly enforced. The board began revising the town's ordinances in November, hoping to spell out an easier pathway for enforcement. "As it stands now, the methods of cleaning are at best inconsistent and at worst nonexistent," said Lucy Miller, chairwoman of the board. While public beaches usually are cleaned by the local government, private beaches are not.
"We should not have the responsibility of cleaning private property," Town Manager Dale Sugerman said at a recent board meeting. "Government is not the answer to all the world's problems." That's not to say the town can't have residents clean up. Included in the town's nuisance laws are litter cleaning requirements. If trash is left on a private beach, a code enforcement officer can send a letter to the homeowner, who has seven days to pick up. If they don't comply, residents eventually must pay up to a $250-a-day fine, Sugerman said. The problem is that the town doesn't have a code enforcement officer. One recommendation the board may make is to hire one, Sugerman said.
The board plans to put additional trash cans along the shore every eighth of a mile, if it gets written permission from the property owners along the beaches. Tide washes trash onto the shores twice a day, making cleanup a constant chore that can be costly. Residents who hire private companies pay from $100 to $800 a month, according to a survey the board conducted last year. Robert Patek pays $200 a month to clear 200 feet of beach he owns.
"You have a situation where one person cleans it and the next person doesn't," Patek said. "It makes for an ugly beach and with debris all the time. The whole beach should be cleaned uniformly."
Other residents, such as Mary Rex, clean up litter they see. "When you take a walk and you see something, you pick it up," Rex said. She added that she doesn't see much trash along the beach, though.
Members of the Boynton Beach-based cleanup group Sand Sifters collect litter on private beaches up and down the coast. The volunteers clean about 5 miles of public and private beaches from the Boynton Beach Inlet to Gulf Stream once a month. The volunteers don't get permission from the homeowners, but they haven't gotten complaints.
The Sand Sifters went to the Ocean Ridge Town Commission meeting in November to ask officials for more support, such as plastic bags for the Garden Club, the cleanup group in Ocean Ridge. The Garden Club had a cleanup in November that drew 55 volunteers, member Stella Kolb said. "Half of the people pay for the trucks to come and sift through it. Some people do that, and some people don't," Kolb, said. "That's why we get volunteers to go out there." If Ocean Ridge receives a complaint about trash on a private beach, a letter can be sent to the homeowner requesting it be removed. If it isn't, police officers can issue code violations, Town Manager Ken Schenck said.
Sand Sifters go to School!
November 15, 2007
Under the guidance of Jennifer Buce (Town of Delray Beach Litter Prevention), Gary Solomon and Robyn Halasz -Sand Sifter volunteers, went to the City of Boynton Beach's after school program to teach kids the importance of recycling. Jennifer showed the kids from grades kindergarten to 5th grade how to make new paper out of scrap paper and old newspaper.
The kids were generally excited as they learned how to make their own piece of paper. The kids got their hands dirty but in the end were happy with their final product.
When asked questions about recycling the children knew about recycling and the difference between the bins and what goes in them. As well as the three R's of recycling (reduce, reuse and recycle). The 4th and 5th graders seem to be knowledged in natural resources and how important it is to keep these resources going.
All and all the kids learned something as the adults learned how aware this younger generation is about our earth and "Being Green". Several children expressed had said "This is the best project we've ever done". A little bit of fun as well as helping the environment can go a long way when teaching children.
To find out how to make your own paper click here
Banyan Creek students branch out for Arbor Day
| Forum Publishing Group
February 6, 2008
Eight third-grade classes at Banyan Creek Elementary School planted trees, took part in environmentally safe activities, and packed earth friendly lunches as part of Arbor Day 2008. The school teamed with members of the city of Delray Beach's Litter Prevention Program to celebrate Arbor Day Feb. 1 at Barwick Park, "Each class will be planting one tree," said Jennifer Buce, the program's coordinator. More than 160 faces lighted up in amazement. "Two years ago we planted live oaks," she said. This year was a little different. Students spent the first hour working their way through eight stations. The first station included toilet paper rolls collected during a school campaign.
Students rolled the cardboard in honey or a peanut butter paste and dipped their project in birdseed to create an environmentally friendly bird feeder. Third-grader Angelina Bulatao, 8, described the project. "We put honey or peanut butter on it, then rolled it into birdseed," she said. Students were excited to share Arbor Day activities and health tasks they learned. "We walked here from school to get our heart pumping and blood flowing, and packed environmentally friendly lunches," said Gabriela Vukaj, 9. "Whichever class produces the least amount of trash from their lunches wins a prize."
Students spent their last Arbor Day hour helping city maintenance workers place the tree in the ground. The workers showed the students how to dig a hole properly, and classes placed slash pines in holes and filled them with dirt. "Today has been an exciting day. It was picture day. so the first part of the day, they dressed fancy," said third-grade teacher Yvone Robinson. "Then they changed in their play clothes for Arbor Day."
Nebraska newspaper editor Julius Sterling Morton started Arbor Day in the 1870s. Morton said planting trees would help beautify the state, provide shade and create windbreaks to prevent soil erosion. In 1872 he proposed a tree-planting day, and today, Arbor Day is observed in the United States and in many countries. "Fortunately, living in Florida, we can plant almost any time," Buce said.
The third-graders received help from Gary Solomon and Robyn Halasz of the Sand Sifters, a volunteer beach cleanup group in Boynton Beach that also raises awareness about litter and the environment.
Solomon and Halasz recently joined forces with Buce to work on the "Be Green, Start Clean!" anti-litter campaign.
Highland Beachwants debris on private beaches cleaned up
| South Florida Sun-SentinelDecember 2, 2007
Hypodermic needles, rope and plastic bags are some of the items that have washed ashore along private beaches.
The issue is most apparent in Highland Beach, where the majority of the 3-mile shore is private and the town's Beaches and Shores Advisory Board said littering laws aren't strictly enforced. The board began revising the town's ordinances in November, hoping to spell out an easier pathway for enforcement. "As it stands now, the methods of cleaning are at best inconsistent and at worst nonexistent," said Lucy Miller, chairwoman of the board. While public beaches usually are cleaned by the local government, private beaches are not.
"We should not have the responsibility of cleaning private property," Town Manager Dale Sugerman said at a recent board meeting. "Government is not the answer to all the world's problems." That's not to say the town can't have residents clean up. Included in the town's nuisance laws are litter cleaning requirements. If trash is left on a private beach, a code enforcement officer can send a letter to the homeowner, who has seven days to pick up. If they don't comply, residents eventually must pay up to a $250-a-day fine, Sugerman said. The problem is that the town doesn't have a code enforcement officer. One recommendation the board may make is to hire one, Sugerman said.
The board plans to put additional trash cans along the shore every eighth of a mile, if it gets written permission from the property owners along the beaches. Tide washes trash onto the shores twice a day, making cleanup a constant chore that can be costly. Residents who hire private companies pay from $100 to $800 a month, according to a survey the board conducted last year. Robert Patek pays $200 a month to clear 200 feet of beach he owns.
"You have a situation where one person cleans it and the next person doesn't," Patek said. "It makes for an ugly beach and with debris all the time. The whole beach should be cleaned uniformly."
Other residents, such as Mary Rex, clean up litter they see. "When you take a walk and you see something, you pick it up," Rex said. She added that she doesn't see much trash along the beach, though.
Members of the Boynton Beach-based cleanup group Sand Sifters collect litter on private beaches up and down the coast. The volunteers clean about 5 miles of public and private beaches from the Boynton Beach Inlet to Gulf Stream once a month. The volunteers don't get permission from the homeowners, but they haven't gotten complaints.
The Sand Sifters went to the Ocean Ridge Town Commission meeting in November to ask officials for more support, such as plastic bags for the Garden Club, the cleanup group in Ocean Ridge. The Garden Club had a cleanup in November that drew 55 volunteers, member Stella Kolb said. "Half of the people pay for the trucks to come and sift through it. Some people do that, and some people don't," Kolb, said. "That's why we get volunteers to go out there." If Ocean Ridge receives a complaint about trash on a private beach, a letter can be sent to the homeowner requesting it be removed. If it isn't, police officers can issue code violations, Town Manager Ken Schenck said.
Certificate of Appreciation to Sandsifters
At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on July 10, 2007, Commissioner McCarty presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sandsifters in recognition of dedicated and ongoing commitment in keeping the beaches of Palm Beach County clean and energizing more than 600 volunteers from various communities to help with this worthy cause. Pictured above (l to r): Soraya Figuieredo, Rod Silverio, Kathy Silverio, Janell McCracken, Commissioner Mary McCarty, Gary Solomon.
Litter awareness program expands to parks
By MIKE ROTHMAN |Boynton Forum
Forum Publishing Group October 3, 2007
The Sand Sifters is expanding its cleanup coverage from the coastline to all 28 parks in Boynton Beach, and possibly beyond. The Sand Sifters, a Boynton Beach-based volunteer group, cleans a five-mile stretch of beach that includes Oceanfront Park, 6415 N Ocean Blvd., once a month. Gary Solomon, the group's organizer, has been running the monthly cleanups for the past two years.
The group unveiled its new campaign, "Be Green, Start Clean!" Sept. 25 at a Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Board meeting. The campaign's logo of a pelican throwing trash into a wastebasket was created to educate residents throughout Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County on the dangers of littering anywhere, not just the beach. Jody Rivers, the city's parks superintendent, said Boynton Beach already has adopted the program for its 28 parks.The program includes T-shirts, banners, posters and signage with the logo to be displayed at all parks. Solomon said he hopes the county also will adopt the program. "We are looking for countywide cooperation, and are offering our logo to them and other cities to take and run with," Solomon said.
Lisa Kuntzman, recreation specialist for the county's Parks and Recreation Department, said she would take the program and the logo Solomon created back to her supervisors to determine how and if the county could help. "Right now it is all a concept. It is in the planning stages," she said. "I will go back to the department and see how we can help or join in." Kirt Rusenko, a marine conversationalist with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, said his organization was interested in adopting the program. "The trash is excessive all around," he said. "This program would be good to raise awareness in all parts of Palm Beach County, not just Boynton Beach. We would actually like to get our own Sand Sifters group in Boca." Paul Davis, the county's environmental manager, said consistency would be important with a campaign like "Be Green, Start Clean!" He said the message would hit home if people saw it throughout the county. For information about the Sand Sifters or "Be Green, Start Clean!" call 561-734-912.
Boynton parks board backs group's beach anti-litter drive
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
By: WILL VASH
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
BOYNTON BEACH — The city's parks and recreation board unanimously endorsed Monday an anti-litter campaign by a local group committed to cleaning up the beaches countywide.
The Sand Sifters, a 2-year-old volunteer organization that picks up beach debris in the Boynton Beach and Ocean Ridge areas, unveiled "Be Green, Start Clean, Don't Litter!," an attempt to spread the anti-litter message through signs, posters, public service announcements, classroom education and advertising.
"These parks must be maintained spotlessly," said Sand Sifters founder Gary Solomon. "The whole point is to get citizens to see we won't accept littering." The campaign's logo is a cartoon pelican throwing a fish skeleton into a trash can. Jody Rivers, the city's parks superintendent, said the group has reduced trash greatly at Oceanfront Park. During a recent monthly cleanup, more than 200 volunteers picked up trash in the area. "We don't have the manpower to pick up cigarette butts on the beach," Rivers said. "This group does."
At the urging of Sand Sifters, Boynton Beach spent $2,500 this year to install small "butt bag" stations, one at each of the four boardwalk landings at Oceanfront Park. The metal containers are packed with small plastic bags for cigarette butts.
The county, with help from the nonprofit Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, ordered pocket ashtrays for lifeguards to give out to beachgoers. Boynton Beach ordered 500. Paul Davis, environmental manager for Palm Beach County, said he was impressed with the Sand Sifters' presentation as well as their efforts in the field. Davis said he combs the beaches during sea turtle nesting season - March through September - and notices a difference because of the group's monthly cleanups. "It's a whole lot cleaner than it used to be," Davis said. "It's something we really support."
Kirt Rusenko, marine conservationist at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, said he would do anything he could to support the anti-litter campaign. The effect of trash on marine life is devastating, he said. "People don't realize the problem," Rusenko said. "This is something we need all up and down the coast of Florida."
Boynton Beach: Sand Sifters to present plan to reduce beach litter
September 22, 2007
Sun Sentinel
Sand Sifters, a volunteer beach cleanup group based in Boynton Beach, has begun its "Be Green, Start Clean, Don't Litter!" campaign.
The group will present its campaign before the Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Board at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Boynton Beach Art Center, 125 SE Second Ave.
The group has been cleaning beaches in the area for about two years and began contacting city officials for help last fall. Sand Sifters has been instrumental in the city's placement of additional anti-litter signs, butt bag systems for trash disposal, and standup and portable ash trays.
September 12, 2007"Volunteers to clean trash from beaches Saturday"By; Mike Rothman at Boynton TribuneMembers of organizations from throughout Palm Beach COunty will wake up early Saturday morning to lean up trash off the beach. Gary Solomon, organizer of Boynton Beach's Sand Sifters cleanup group, expects almost 200 people from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Gulfstream Park, 4489 N Ocean Blvd.
Sandoway House Nature Center Directior Nicole Householder said she plans to lead a litter patrol of at least 350 people down Delray Beach Saturday.
Easemera Brown-Augustus expects 10 to 15 people to show up from 8 a.m. to noon to clean the lake at the Homes at Lawrence neighborhood between Military Trail and Congress Avenue along Hypoluxp Road.
Their efforts are part of the Ocean Conservancy's 22nd annual Internation Coastal Cleanup, hailed as the "largest garbage collection" by Guiness World Records.
More than 90 countries participate in the one dady event by eradication trash from coeastlines and other areas. The Sand Sifters have been participating in the even for the past two years. The group also meets 8 a.m. the first Saturday of every month to clean up the five-mile stretch of Gulfstream, Oceanfront and Ocean Ridge Hammock parks.
Sand Sifters volunteer Robyn Halasz said it is nice that the world gets together once a year to clean up the coastline. But she said it should happen more often. "It should be monthly or weekly,: Halasz said. "The day after the last year's cleanup, I still picked up five buckets of trash off the beach."
Lourdes Ferris executive director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful Inc., has outfitted the various groups with data cards to record what the pick up. "Last year Sandaway House had 344 volunteers pick up over 2,000 pounds of trash. Lanterns, tires, hair curlers, silly string, even a doorbell and large plastic bull," Ferris said.
Solomon said last your his group picked up thousands of cigarette butts, bottles of beer and even condoms off the coastline.
Brown-Augustus got her community involved by cleaning up the neighborhood lake. "This is our second cleanup and last year we found papers, bottles and even a bicycle," she said I've been living in Boynton Beach since 1993 and just wanted to do something to clean up the neighborhood.
PROCLAMATION FOR CLEAN BEACHES WEEK
June 17, 2007 , Jerry Taylor , Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach announced a Proclamation for "National Clean Beaches Week". The Sand Sifters were there to accept and be a part of this Proclamation. "National Clean Beaches Week" is from June 29-July 5, 2007. We are very proud to be a part of this and hope we can bring awareness to those who have yet to help in keeping our beaches clean.
Environment
South Florida
Posted May 26 2007
Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
THE PROCLAMATION READS AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the Clean Beaches Council, as part of Great Outdoors Month has designated the week beginning June 29, 2007 as National Clean Beaches Week; and WHEREAS, beaches represent a critical part of our natural heritage and a beautiful part of the American landscape; and WHEREAS, communities and government have undertaken significant measures to keep beaches clean and healthy; and WHEREAS, Americans make nearly 2 billion annual trips to the ocean, gulf and inland beaches and contribute significant resourses to the local, state and national economy; and WHEREAS, 75% of all recreational activity occurs within a half mile corridor around the shorelines of our beaches, rivers and lakes; and WHEREAS, coastal touris and healthy, fresh seafood fuels robust economies sustaining communities and supporting jobs along the coastal U.S; Now, therefore, I, Jerry Taylor, Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida, do hereby proclaim June 29- July 5, 2007 as: "NATIONAL CLEAN BEACHES WEEK" IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Boynton Beach, FLorida, to be affixed this 19th day of June, Two thousand Seven. Jerry Taylor, Mayor, City of Boynton Beach
Boynton & County Get Tough on Beach Litter May 30, 2007 By MIKE ROTHMAN
FORUM STAFF WRITER
Representatives form Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Palm Beach County got together last week to discuss litter enforcement, especially ticketing on the beaches. Both Boynton Beach and the county have implemented a pilot program on their beaches aimed at reducing litter, cigarette butts in particular, from the beach shore.
The program attacks litter from different angles, including a butt bag system and extra trash receptacles. The last part of the pilot program is enforcement. Sand Sifters organizer Gary Solomon said his organization recently picked up 48 beer cans, burnt wood from bond fires, drug paraphernalia and condoms off the beach.
The Sand Sifters are a local organization that comes together once a month to clean up Oceanfront Park, Ocean Ridge Hammock and Gulfstream Park. "People just come down to the beach at night and party," he said. "This needs to be stopped."
Solomon said the partying and litter left behind has become a safety issue, with a young girl having been poked by a syringe at one of the Sand Sifters’ cleanups. Solomon wants the police to take action via stronger litter fines.
The meeting was called together at Boynton City Hall in order to find out what fines are being issued, how much those fines are and who exactly is patrolling the various beaches in the county.Bill Wilsher, superintendent for the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, said the county controls 45 miles of beach in between local beaches. The county’s beaches include Gulfstream Park and Ocean Ridge Hammock. Wilsher said the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office patrols its beaches.
A litter fine for any state beach is $100, but depending on the location of the beach, the officer issuing the fine can decide what violation to give out. For example, Delray Beach Police Officer Rachel VanNess said fines for littering on her beaches start at $150. "It is up to the officer to decide what fine to issue, state or city," she said. "It is usually easier to write a city violation."
The first offense for littering at Oceanfront Park, the beach controlled by Boynton but enforced by the officers of the Town of Ocean Ridge, is $25. Littering anywhere else in Boynton costs $75 plus administration fees.
In addition to the varying costs of littering, the burden of proof comes into play when issuing a violation. Kirt Rusenko, marine conservationist with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, said Boca Raton’s beaches have rangers that patrol the beach to watch for litter.The rangers call police to come in and issue tickets. It is the police, not the rangers that have to actually see the violation take place to be able to write a ticket.
This is true across the board in Palm Beach County. Police must see a person litter to issue a citation. "We have officers who patrol at night," VanNess said. "As long as we see it, we can issue tickets. But who is going to litter in front of a cop?"
With all this variation, Solomon wanted to know if something more cohesive could be done to stop littering. "Can there be a standard fine or signage to make our effort more uniform?" he asked.
With ticketing, no uniform violation came to fruition but a potential education campaign is a possible solution. Solomon asked if a video could be shown in the schools, detailing the danger of littering. "Now you are talking about the school board, but absolutely I think we can," said Wally Majors, Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Superintendent. "You have to start them young."
Tom Mahady of Boynton Beach Ocean Rescue agreed that teaching children at a young age is important. "I think the best thing we can do is education," Mahady said. "A solid fine would be nice throughout the county, but it is rough that only the police can give the fines."
Solomon said he believes the meeting in the least raised awareness about ticketing among the various police units in the county. "Now we are aware of who is ticketing and who is not," he said. "The beaches that aren’t ticketing have to get on board."
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.
ISSUE: Cities look to cut down on litter.
Plan on hitting the beach this Memorial Day weekend? If so, do yourself and your fellow man a favor and pack a litterbag next to the sunscreen.
Despite the affection most South Floridians and tourists harbor for the beach, the sandy shores remain a dumping ground for discarded soda cans, wrappers, straws, Styrofoam plates -- you name it, you've probably spread your towel over it.
Smokers are the biggest offenders, with cigarette butts accounting for the most frequently littered items on beaches across America. It's such a burning concern that cities from Pompano Beach to Delray Beach and beyond are looking for ways to restrict how and where people can light up on the sands.
But smokers are not the only litterbugs. Beach cleanups are popular community outings throughout South Florida simply because beach litter of all shapes and sizes, from all types of people, is a constant concern.
Boynton Beach has been a leader in trying to eradicate the problem with its pilot program, putting extra trash cans at beach entrances, having lifeguards and concession stand workers pass out plastic reusable ashtrays, putting up no-littering signs and monitoring the shores for trash.
Palm Beach County has since adopted the approach in unincorporated areas. Now, the Sand Sifters, a Boynton-based beach-cleanup group, wants oceanfront cities across the county to join in on the effort and coordinate a consistent, unified strategy.
It's a good idea, and it can't stop at the Palm Beach County border. Pristine beaches are just as important to Broward and Miami-Dade, and litter will continue to spoil the scene unless government leaders across the region send a strong, united message.
But in the end, it depends on beachgoers to pull their heads out of the sand and clean up after themselves -- and make sure those around them do, too.
So enjoy the beach, bask in the sun, ride a wave. When you leave, just make sure whatever you brought leaves with you, whether you want it or not. And don't hesitate to spread the gospel to the person under the umbrella next to you.
BOTTOM LINE: It's up to you, beachgoer.
SAND SIFTERS STEPPING IT UP!
Our volunteers have done a wonderful job cleaning up the litter and debris on our beaches. However, we are going to step it up and implement a recycle program as well. There is an abundance of plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans and such that could be recycled instead of thrown away as waste. By recycling we preserve our natural resources, conserve energy, prevent pollution and protect our environment. We will have separte bags for recycling litter and litter that is not suitable for recycling such as styrofoam or food waste. In Palm Beach County alone over 130,000 tons of recyclable material was collected last year from homes and businesses according to the Solid Waste Authority.
Getting the litter off our beaches is one thing but doing something with it is a step forward in preserving our environment for future generations. Come join us in our efforts and volunteer to be a part of something that is rewarding and can make a difference.
R.A.Halasz -Sand Sifter Core Member
Beach at Boynton Beach/Lake Worth Inlet
From a distance our beaches appear to look beautiful and unfettered with unsightly or harmful debris. Upon closer inspection that is usually not always the case. I recently visited Boynton Beach/Lake Worth inelt beach and to my dismay I was saddened as well as frustrated by the state of this beach. This stretch of beach neighbors Sand Sifter adopted beaches Oceanfront Park and Hammock Park. Cigarette butts, beer cans, plastic and glass bottles, plastic bags, wrappers, condoms and much more laid strewn across the beach. This trash has the potential to get picked up by rushing tides and drift its way down to other parts of our beaches creating litter where there once was none.
Our volunteers have done a remarkable job in reducing the litter on our adopted beaches significantly but unfortunately there is so much more of our coastline in distress. Unless someone takes the time to clean up what others have left behind, the trash just doesn’t go away. Left behind litter gets buried under the sand or taken back into our seas only to find its place on another part of a beach somewhere or worse yet in the stomachs of marine life.
Every piece of litter has a person behind it. Though many have been doing their part, so many more have not. Don’t be fooled by what you see in the distance, for looks can be deceiving.
By: R.A.Halasz
City, county officials work together to curb beach trash
By Will Varsh
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 24, 2007
BOYNTON BEACH — Educating the public will be key to combat the growing tide of litter on Palm Beach County's beaches, according to officials at a beach litter enforcement meeting Wednesday morning at Boynton Beach City Hall.
Representatives from Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lantana, Ocean Ridge, Boca Raton and Palm Beach County agreed old cigarette butts and empty bottles were a scourge along the coastline, but enforcement alone isn't enough.
Lourdes Ferris, executive director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, said governments will have to work together to get the message across that littering will result in a fine."You have to hit them (with information) from all different angles," Ferris said.
The group discussed identical anti-littering signs on every beach, regardless of jurisdiction, and creating uniform litter fines. Currently, first time litter fines vary between $25 and $150 along beaches in southern Palm Beach County.
Meanwhile, county officials have initiated anti-littering pilot program at Ocean Ridge Hammock Park, Ocean Inlet Park and Gulfstream Park to encourage the proper disposal of cigarette butts.
The trial program uses small trash bags made for used cigarette butts, more trash cans in the area and lifeguards giving out mini-ashtrays. Boynton Beach's Oceanfront Park also offers the cigarette bags."It's about behavior modification," said Bill Wilsher, the county's superintendent of park planning and design. "If we can get a program to work down here it may be possible to make it work on our northern beaches."
Robyn Halasz, a member of Sand Sifters, a group of volunteers who pick up beach debris in the Boynton Beach and Ocean Ridge areas, said she used to walk the sand in bare feet. "I don't do that anymore. I know what I'm finding out there," Halasz said.
The Sand Sifters exhibited photographs of alcohol bottles, beer cans, condoms, syringes and a spent shotgun shell casing discovered during recent cleanups. Fines are difficult to impose because law enforcement officers must catch a person in the act of littering.
Tom Mahady, captain for the Boynton Beach Ocean Rescue unit at Oceanfront Park, said groups, like the Sand Sifters, focus attention on the litter problem. "They are doing a really good job of finding out what's going on and they bring out the community in droves," Mahady said of the beach cleanups. "A unified standard fine would be a good start.
CITIES TO TARGET BEACH LITTER Education of beachgoers will be the key to making the effort successful.
By Mike Rothman
FORUM PUBLISHING GROUP
May 20, 2007
Palm Beach County is following the lead of Boynton Beach by starting a pilot program to keep cigarette litter off the beaches. The program uses a “butt” bag system, extra trash receptacles placed at entrances, reusable pocket ashtrays for smokers, additional signs and monitoring. Boynton Beach started a similar program February.
The Sand Sifters, a beach cleaning volunteer group, said a closed meeting has been called for Wednesday at Boynton Beach City Hall. Representatives from Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Ocean Ridge, Lantana, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are expected to attend.
They will discuss the consistency of fines and signs throughout the county, who is giving the tickets and what percent of tickets are for littering, said Gary Solomon, organizer of the Sand Sifters, based in Boynton Beach. “We also want to know how much these littering fines are. If they are $500, $400 or whatever,” Solomon said. “The towns in Palm Beach County can all do their own thing, but working together will be more cohesive and effective.”
Cigarette beach litter rules are spotty or nonexistent. Delray Beach decided in February to divide the city’s mile-long beach into smoking and nonsmoking areas. But the lifeguards did not want the areas roped off, and nothing more has been done since the measure was approved, the city’s public information officer Ivan Ladizinsky said. The issue hasn’t come up in Boca Raton.
On Sept. 16, during the International Costal Cleanup, the Sand Sifters picked up more than 3,400 cigarette butts. “I go to the beach every weekend, and it’s getting worse and worse,” said Robyn Halasz, a core Sand Sifter volunteer, “We are just sitting amongst the trash here.”
Solomon passed that information to Lourdes Ferris, executive director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, the local arm of the national Keep America Beautiful network. Ferris came up with a countywide pilot program that approached the problem from several angles. “The groups that go out and clean every week are great, but you need to educate the beachgoers so they won’t continue to litter” Ferris said. “This is what this program does. It stops litter before it happens.”
The butt bags, which are degradable, hang in white metal containers at entrances to Palm Beach County’s beaches. Egg-shaped plastic reusable ashtrays can be picked up for free at concession stands and from lifeguards. The city or the county pays for the supplies. “If you start to see the same signs over and over again, it really starts to sink into your head and ring true,” said Jody Rivers, parks superintendent for Boynton Beach, which operates a beach at Oceanfront Park in Ocean Ridge.
The final part of the program in monitoring, a scan of the beaches every six months. Groups will check the amount of cigarette butts in a defined are along the beach twice a year. Communities that have implemented the program have see a reduction in cigarette butts of at least 46 percent, according to Ferris.
County Commissioner Mary McCarty said she is eager to see if the pilot program will be effective. Sand Sifters, which cleans litter from beaches at Oceanfront Park, Ocean Ridge Park and Gulfstream Park, proved to be the catalyst in getting the county involved, she said. They have certainly raised awareness about the problem,” she said.
Solomon said he hopes the program and future meetings will set the standard for the rest of the beaches in Florida. “We are determined to keep pushing and stay the course,” he said. “This program should lay the groundwork for all other sites and beaches.”
Stop Smoking, Stop Littering 4.5 Trillion Cigarette Butts are Littered Worldwide Annually
© Amy Bower Doucette
Apr 30, 2007
Cigarette butts are the most polluted item on the planet. Help protect the environment by disposing of cigarettes properly and becoming aware of the littering problem.
Take a look down when you walk down any city street. What do you see? Chances are, you will see one item over and over again: cigarette butts. About 4.5 trillion are littered annually worldwide.A cigarette butt littered on land is not just a terrestrial problem: a strong rain will wash that butt into the storm drains and straight into the water system.
As the Earth's population slowly becomes aware of the crisis facing the planet, the cigarette epidemic is gaining notice. Organizations like the Surfriders in California have long tried to clean up cigarette litter from the beaches along the west coast. Cleaning up cigarette litter on a beach is often a frustrating task. One beach clean-up group, the Sand Sifters of Boynton Beach, FL, finds that picking up cigarette butts takes up most of their time.
"During a monthly cleanup, we collect four to five thousand cigarette butts in one day," Founder Gary Solomon said.
That is just one small stretch of beach. Multiply that by the hundreds of thousands of miles of shoreline worldwide and the enormity of the problem starts to take shape. Cigarette butts are not just a benign annoyance. They are made from toxic chemicals. Surfrider.org listed the dangerous ingredients found in a cigarette butt:
Arsenic: a pesticide that causes diarrhea, cramps, anemia, paralysis and malignant skin tumors.
Acetone: It's one of the active ingredients in nail polish remover.
Lead: Lead poisoning stunts growth, causes vomiting, and causes brain damage.
Formaldehyde: causes cancer, can damage lungs, skin, and digestive systems. Embalmers use it to preserve dead bodies.
Toluene: highly toxic, commonly use as an ingredient in paint thinner.
Butane: highly flammable butane is one of the key components in gasoline.
Cadmium: cause damage to the liver, kidneys and brain, and stays in the body for years.
Ammonia: causes individuals to absorb more nicotine, keeping them hooked on smoking.
Benzene: found in pesticides and gasoline.
All of the chemicals seep out of the cigarette butt almost immediately after it comes into contact with water, making it deadly to marine life.
Cigarette smokers appear to believe that tossing their butt out of their car window, snubbing it out on the sidewalk and throwing it into the storm drains are not littering. Perhaps smokers believe that cigarette butts are made of biodegradable cotton. Such is not the case. The butts are made from Cellulose Acetate. The fiber takes years to break down, but it never fully biodegrades.
Keep America Beautiful states that cigarette butts made up 34% of the total litter the group picked up in 2003. Food wrappers were a distant second at 10%. The ban on smoking indoors in many states makes the problem worse. Smokers must discard their cigarette before going inside. If there is no ashtray readily available at these "transition points", most smokers will just toss the cigarette onto the ground.
A few ways people can curb the cigarette litter problem are:
1. Start a cigarette litter prevention awareness campaign in your town. Bumper stickers are easy to make online.
2. SPEAK UP! When you see someone throwing a cigarette on the ground, let them know that it's not OK. Sure, you might be labaled a "tree hugger," but chances are the smoker will think twice before tossing their butt next time. Most smokers are not aware that cigarette butts are litter.
3. Encourage businesses and local governments to provide smokers with ash receptacles at "transition points" like bus stops, store entrances and walkways.
4. For smokers: Use portable ash trays in your car if you use the built-in ashtray for coins or keys. They are found easily online by typing in "portable ashtray" into any search engine. Zippo, the lighter company and pop culture phenomenon, has a stylish model available on their website.
5. Start a beach or litter clean-up, or adopt a highway in your area
With awareness, the cigarette litter problem can be curbed. It just takes awareness and a little effort.
Beach treated like `giant ashtray' Dozens turn out to clean up the coastlineBy Maria HerreraSouth Florida Sun-SentinelPosted April 22 2007 Ocean Ridge ,Jovanni Catanzaro played with sand and seashells, blissfully unaware of the cigarette butts sticking out of the sand around him. "I'm embarrassed to see all the cigarette butts," said the 5-year-old's father, Bruce Catanzaro, a non-smoker. "For every piece of garbage you pick up, there are three or four cigarette butts."Catanzaro and his family were among at least 40 people who turned out to Ocean Inlet Park in Ocean Ridge on Saturday morning for an Earth Day celebration cleanup. The event also started Palm Beach County's cigarette abatement pilot program, a three-city and county effort to reduce the number of cigarette butts left on Ocean Ridge Hammock Park, Ocean Inlet Park and Gulfstream Park. "This is the first time we've attempted an abatement program centered around cigarette butts," said Bill Wilsher, superintendent of the Park Planning and Design division of the county's Parks and Recreation Department. "There's a tendency for smokers to think that the whole beach is like a giant ashtray." The program includes placing cigarette butt litter bags in dispensers, posting signs that educate beachgoers about the toxicity of cigarette butts and having lifeguards give pocket ashtrays to smokers upon request. Between the Great American cleanup May 4 and the International Coastal Cleanup in the fall, the county will collect data from all three parks and compare results. Keep America Beautiful expects the efforts would result in a 40 to 50 percent reduction in litter based on similar programs in other parts of the country, Wilsher said. The program also includes monthly cleanups by the Sand Sifters, a nonprofit group dedicated to cleaning up coastal areas. Sand Sifter's Gary Solomon first approached county and city officials with the idea to create an abatement program that would include cleanups and awareness programs. "We're like the parents picking up after the kids," Solomon said. On Saturday, while children and their parents descended on the beach side of the inlet to pick up trash, county Commissioner Mary McCarty, Lantana Mayor David Stewart, Boynton Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor and Ocean Ridge Mayor Ken Kaleel gathered at a picnic table near the water. All three mayors said they want to educate people about picking up after themselves before they took stricter measures such as banning smoking on the beach."We want people to enjoy themselves at the beach," McCarty said. "We don't think we want to go to that extreme." Staff Writer Erika Pesantes contributed to this report.
Volunteers Take Action - Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful Inc. Kicks Off the 2007 Great American Cleanup Volunteers across the country are rallying to improve their local parks, public spaces, waterways, streets, and neighborhoods by participating in Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest annual community improvement program. In Palm Beach County, Great American Cleanup activities take place in April and May with the most concentrated effort taking place on April 21, 2007, appropriately on Earth Day weekend."Americans have always taken pride in the beauty of their communities and country, and Keep America Beautiful has been proudly leading the charge to take care of tomorrow today," said G. Raymond Epson, President of Keep America Beautiful. In its 22nd year, the Great American Cleanup continues to make a lasting impact by creating a cleaner, safer and more beautiful environment through litter cleanups, beautification efforts and educational outreach. Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc., (KPBCB) a non-profit and local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, coordinates Great American Cleanup activities in Palm Beach County in partnership with the Solid Waste Authority. Over 4,500 volunteers in Palm Beach County participated last year in the 2006 Great American Cleanup, picking up thousands of pounds of trash and participating in beautfication events that involved planting trees and flowers and painting and refurbishing. KPBCB also does educational outreach yearly with local elementary schools, involving the students in Great American Cleanup activities. Nationally the 2006 Great American Cleanup produced phenomenal results with over 228 million pounds of litter and debris collected; more than 2.5 million scrap tires and 37 million plastic (PET) bottles removed from the waste stream; 10,000 illegal dump sites cleaned; 38.5 million pounds of aluminum and steel recycled; over 5.5 million trees, flowers and bulbs planted and more than 6,000 miles of rivers, lakes, and shorelines cleaned by the strength of over 2 million volunteers.Many of America's leading companies are dedicated to supporting and sponsoring the efforts for the 2007 Great American Cleanup. The National Sponsors are: American Honda Motore Co., Inc., Firestone Complete Auto Care and TiresPlus, GLAD ForceFlex Trash Bags, Pepsi-Cola Comapny, Sam's Club, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Sparkle Paper Towels from Georgia Pacific, Sprint Foundation, Troy-Bilt, Waste Management, Inc., the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the Rubber Manufacturers Association and The Wireless Alliance. Local Palm Beach County Sponsors: include the Solid Waste Authority, Publix Super Market Charities, the Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the SandSifters, and Arcadis. To volunteer for the Great American Cleanup 2007 in Palm Beach County, call (561) 686-6646 or visit www.keepPBCbeautiful.organd click on the Great American Cleanup. Scroll down to see all the participating sites. Contact the volunteer coordinator to pre-register. Volunteers will receive community service hours and free commemorative t-shirts while supplies last.
April Newsletter from Palm Beach County Commishioner Mary McCarty
Palm Beach County, in conjunction with Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful(www.keeppbcbeautiful.org) and the Sandsifters (www.sandsifters.org), have been diligently working together to prevent and eliminate a growing litter problem on our public beaches and parks.
The County's pilot program addressing this issue will be launched on Saturday, April 21, 2007, in support of Earth Day and the Great American Cleanup. Please come out and join me in the kick-off day event on April 21 starting at 9:00 am at Ocean Inlet Park. The litter problem is an ongoing and challenging issue throughout the County. In October 2006, Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful reported that volunteers picked up over 65,000 tons of trash (including 22,000 cigarette butts) during the course of only one day at Countywide beaches and parks. It has also been reported that cigarette litter is an emerging problem nationwide, and that lack of awareness, ash receptacles and outdoor smoking have added to the visible impact of this problem.
Research and field testing by Keep America Beautiful affiliates in over a dozen U.S. cities have found that cigarette butts (the most littered item) can be reduced as much as 46% by implementing four specific strategies: the installation of more ash receptacles, providing and encouraging the use of pocket ashtrays, informative signage and educational materials, and enforcement of anti-litter laws. Consequently, the County's Parks and Recreation Department will be introducing its latest efforts in combating this dilemma at this Earth Day event. Additional ash and trash receptacles, pocket ashtrays, and educational signage will be implemented, and event organizers are also planning other fun-filled activities designed to encourage proper disposal of cigarette litter. In case you cannot attend the April 21st event, please note that there is a local organization, the Sandsifters, a beach cleanup volunteer group (www.sandsifters.org), which meets every first Saturday of the month at Oceanfront /Ocean Ridge Hammock Park on A1A in Boynton Beach. Please contact them for additional information about participating in their ongoing efforts. I look forward to participating in this important event and hope that you can join us in our efforts in keeping Palm Beach County the clean and wonderful place we call home. Remember: our beaches are beautiful - no butts about it!
Group, officials work to clean up butts on the beach
By: Eliot Kleinberg Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 04, 2007
OCEAN RIDGE — Lynne Vigeant was eyeing the sand at Oceanfront Park, as she does for most of the monthly cleanups by the Sand Sifters volunteer group.She had one of those metal rods with the pinching claws at the end. She was poking around for cigarette butts. "They're disgusting," Vigeant said. "This is not an ashtray!"
Volunteers and city and county parks officials are trying to educate beachgoers who might be diligent in tossing that soda can or snackbag but think nothing of grinding a cig into the sand. Mitchell Senkowicz, 14, at the beach to skimboard with a buddy, said he sees butts in the sand all the time. "It's kind of gross," he said. On this cool, overcast morning, there were few beachgoers but as many as 180 cleanup volunteers."Butts are the largest single item," Sand Sifters founder Gary Solomon said.
The problem isn't the tobacco part of the cigarette, Bill Wilsher said, recalling how GIs in World War II "field stripped" smokes so the enemy couldn't track them. It's the filters. "The filter lasts a zillion years, and it's got all the toxins in it," Wilsher, Palm Beach County's director of park planning and design, said at the beach. "The turtles eat it, the fish eat it, the birds eat it," Boynton Beach parks Superintendent Jody Rivers said. Organizers said they have found birds choking with filters jutting from their beaks.
Boynton Beach spent $2,500 recently to install "butt bag" stations, one at each of four boardwalk landings at the park, owned by Boynton Beach but in the town of Ocean Ridge. The white metal containers are packed with plastic bags similar to those that hang in cars. "You can put other things in them. It's not just for butts," Rivers said.
Ocean Ridge spent $600 for a station at Ocean Ridge Hammock. Wilsher said the county plans to install more there. The county also will be supplying lifeguards with pocket ashtrays to distribute to beachgoers; the county split the cost with the non-profit group Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful. Boynton Beach ordered 500. And the county and cities plan to erect hollow, waist-high cigarette poles, each with a 1,000-butt capacity.
Ocean Ridge council members Betty Bingham, Nancy Hogan and Lynn Allison were out Saturday, helping with the cleanup. They said the biggest hurdle to enforcement is committing the time and expense of an officer. And, they said, it's hard for someone in uniform to catch a litterbug in the act. "It's about education," Hogan said.
Update on Smoking ban/ Litter Law for Boynton Beach October 30, 2006
Sand Sifters Plead with County: October 2, 2006In an attempt to get some immediate relief from the dangerous litter that is spewed throughout our city and county parks the Sand Sifters are to meet with Mary McCarty on October 24th. The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department are already mulling around some ideas. "They have been so nice and courteous to us. We are all on the same boat with enforcing the Litter Laws. We can't wait to hear what Eric Call (Assistant Director of the Parks & Recreation Department) comes up with as a solution to this problem," said Gary Solomon of the Sand Sifters.
Beach cleanup effort quickly swept away by litterers Published September 21, 2006
People are pigs.
Much of this stuff had accumulated in only a month. We know this because once a month a group called the Sand Sifters takes it upon itself to pick up the trash that fellow citizens have so thoughtfully left on the public beach. Those monthly pickups attract 60 to 65 volunteers. Last Saturday's sweep was much bigger. It was for International Coastal Cleanup Day, an annual event sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy environmental group. Last year, 450,000 volunteers picked up 8.2 million pounds of debris from 18,000 miles of coast in 74 countries. All over the globe, people are pigs.
Gary Solomon, who runs a group of Web sites for food recipes, founded the Sand Sifters a year ago with a couple of neighbors in west Boynton. "Horrific" is the word he uses to describe the magnitude of dreck. "After the holidays especially, it's absolutely disgusting," adds Janell McCracken, one of his cohorts. Take, for instance, those 3,383 cigarettes and cigarette filters. Very clearly, many smokers have mistaken the sand on the beach for the sand in an ashtray. McCracken says the Sand Sifters try to fight this by passing out fold-up, portable ashtrays to smokers. This effort is not overly successful. It often triggers the territorial defensiveness of the cigarette-loving public. "Most of the time," she said, "people who are smokers are offended by us asking them to use the boxes instead of the sand." The garbage isn't all left by beachgoers, Solomon says. Some of it washes ashore, probably tossed overboard by people in boats. Some of it sweeps out the Boynton Inlet from the Intracoastal Waterway.
The variety is impressive. A couple of months ago, a Sand Sifter volunteer found an engine on the beach, McCracken said. Once, she found dead chickens with their heads cut off. The beach contains condoms and Tampons. "And a lot of plastic and Styrofoam, stuff that doesn't break down," says Dave Wagner, another Sand Sifter stalwart. It's terrific that a group of citizens has taken on the responsibility of making the beaches cleaner. But it's appalling that this is a never-ending job. That so many of us have so little respect for other people or for the beach itself. "People have no respect for planet Earth," McCracken has concluded after a year of conscientious cleanups. Time and again, McCracken sees people walking within a foot of a trashcan and tossing their garbage on the ground. "Like they're thinking, `It's just the beach,'" McCracken said.
Howard Goodman can be reached at hgoodman@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6638.
Smoke-free beach idea ignites debate By Will Vash Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Standing strapped to a boogie board as his children surfed the waves of the Pacific Ocean, Cocoa Beach Mayor Skip Beeler kept looking down at the cool California summer sand sifting between his toes. Something wasn't right. "I started thinking this was so clean, I haven't seen any cigarette butts," Beeler said. "Then I thought if it works there, it can work here." Beeler's efforts to emulate California's example by banning smoking on the beach in his popular seaside town and a recent suggestion by Delray Beach Mayor Jeff Perlman to separate smokers and non-smokers on that city's beach have garnered statewide headlines, raised plenty of legal questions and inspired others to action.
The Sand Sifters, a group of about 350 volunteers who pick up beach debris in the Boynton Beach and Ocean Ridge areas, asked Boynton Beach's Recreation and Parks Advisory Board on Monday night to recommend a smoking ban at the city's Oceanfront Park. The panel unanimously recommended that city staff pursue an agreement with Ocean Ridge to enforce the litter law at the park and also asked the city attorney to study whether a smoking ban could be implemented and how it could be enforced. "If they can ban smoking on beaches in California, if they can do it across the ocean, we can do it here," said Sand Sifters member Janell McCracken. "Our beaches are just as important as the Everglades." "It seems this has struck a chord with people," Perlman said of numerous phone calls he has received on the issue. "It's pretty extraordinary, the amount of cigarette butts and litter on our beach."
But a key question is whether cities have the right to ban smoking in the first place. In a 2005 opinion, Attorney General Charlie Crist said that under the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, only the state can regulate smoking and it "supersedes any municipal or county ordinance on the subject." "A city's attempt to regulate smoking by ordinance in any way other than that prescribed by the legislature would be preempted and of no effect," according to the opinion. The opinion hasn't canceled a November referendum in Cocoa Beach that could make it the first Florida city to ban smoking on a beach. Some cities, including Boca Raton and Wellington, have restricted smoking in parks. "The attorney general's opinions are not binding," Beeler said. "Our city attorney feels it has already been done when it comes to parks. This is just as similar." But Delray Beach City Attorney Susan Ruby found differently after reviewing Crist's opinion. "While we currently cannot prohibit smoking at the beach until an amendment to the state statutes is made, we can regulate the disposal of litter including the tossing of cigarette butts," she wrote. Vote or lobby?
Perlman said commissioners will have to decide whether to move forward on an ordinance despite the Crist opinion or to lobby state legislators for change. Legal questions aside, even the discussion of a smoking ban elicits strong opinions. Robert Berger, president of Healthier Solutions Inc., a Santa Monica-based advocacy group dedicated to promoting the rights of non-smokers, helped spearhead a successful campaign beginning in 2001 to turn most of California's city beaches into smoke-free zones. "With all the evidence of secondhand smoke and looking at the results of coastal cleanup data, it seems a good idea," Berger said. "Who wants to go to enjoy a day at the beach and breathe in tobacco smoke?" But American Civil Liberties Union lawyer James Green said the idea was ridiculous. "If people want to smoke on the beach and they don't blow it in my face, then I don't have a problem with that," Green said. "I understand inside, but why do you need to regulate it outside? I don't think there's a significant public health concern to others." Green said if people are worried about cigarette butts, cities should enforce litter laws, not single out smokers.
Puffing on a cigarette Monday morning, Don Brower, 60, of Boynton Beach agrees that he should not be punished for smoking. He sits out on the sand at Oceanfront Park once a week, smokes and tosses the butts in nearby garbage cans. "My smoke here isn't affecting people. It's an outdoor open place," Brower said. "You don't stop people from bringing bottles; why would you ban smoking on the beach? You've just got to be responsible." Butts on the beach
Lourdes Ferris, executive director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, said the results of International Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 16 showed beachgoers have a long way to go. Volunteers found about 3,500 cigarette butts in Delray Beach and 3,383 butts along Boynton Beach's Oceanfront Park and surrounding beaches. "Smokers don't realize what those filters are really made of and that they pose a real problem for wildlife," Ferris said. Emiliano Antunez, Florida spokesman for The Smokers Club, a national organization created to protect the rights of tobacco smokers, said smoking bans are political ploys and that he has seen no evidence that smoking outdoors causes health problems to others. "People leave beer bottles, coke cans. If you ban smokers, what's going to be next?" Antunez said. "Smokers are just an easy target."Bronson Frick, an associate director at Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights in Berkeley, Calif., said there haven't been many reported violations since California's beaches went cigarette-free. "It's been surprisingly smooth," Frick said. "We haven't heard any problems, in fact." While California may have had a relatively painless time changing local ordinances, that doesn't mean Floridians will follow suit. Beeler, Cocoa Beach's mayor, said he has lost longtime friends in his effort to rid the beaches of tobacco smoke. "It's very polarizing," Beeler said. "The idea of the ban is not to be punitive, it's to educate. Our beaches are important and we really need to change the way we treat them." Bob Knorr, 56, of Boynton Beach, who smoked a Nicaraguan cigar Monday morning while watching the tide ebb at Oceanfront Park, said sitting along the water wouldn't be the same without a smoke. "The problem is littering as far as I'm concerned. If everyone just took responsibility for their actions, it would help," Knorr said between puffs. "To ban it, that's like legislating morality in my book."
Smoking ban at beach sought: By: Mike Rothman BoyntonTimes Staff Writer October 4, 2006
In the midst of all the sand, tar and other garbage, the names could be seen clearly: Parliament, Marlboro, Doral and Camel. Hundreds of cigarette butts were mixed in with broken lighters, cigars and other garbage that Gary Solomon had picked up from Oceanfront Park at 8:30 one morning last week. He placed the cigarette butts and lighters in two buckets-one gray and one purple-to show Boynton Beach's Recreation and Parks Advisory Board the large amount of smoking related trasyh dumpled onto its beaches every day.
Solomon is the coordinator of the Sand Sifters, a group of about 350 volunteers that meet monthly to pick up trash on the beach. The group asked the board last week to ban smoking from Oceanfront Park. "Our base is at Oceanfront Park, so we are reaching out to you now and saying that Delray, Boca and Jupiter are looking at you to lead," Solomon said. "We told all them that Boynton Beach will lead the way."
Robyn Halasz, another core member of the San Sifters, regularly helps with monthly cleanups. She said that safety also has become a high-priority issue at the beach. "This is just a little drop in the bucket." she said, pointing to the two buckets filled with cigarette butts. "If you could see the stuff I picked up this morning". Aslo, there was a littel girl who was on the beach and cut her foot on some glass and had to get stitches. I don't want to see that."
The board members agreed. They unanimously voted to talk to the city attorney to pursue a smoking ban at Oceanfront Park, and the possibility of enforcing such a ban. The board also decided to approach Ocean Ridge about an agreement to enforce the litter law at that park. Board member Wally Majors said the effort ban smoking at the beach could take time, and might need approval from the state. "We can't just move like a bull in a china shop, we have to be patient with our government."
Only the state -not municipalities- has the authority to regulate smoking under Florida's Clean Indoor Air Act. The panel decided to add extra trash cans, ashtrays and prohibitive signs along the beach at Oceanfront Park. "I think we made some pretty substantial gains tonight," said Sand Sifter member Dave Wagner. "To finally get the park and are recreation department to pony up and talk to the commission is a big deal." But Solomon said he would continue to force the issue. "I always measure something by results and am very impatient. I'll tell you if we don't see results, I'll come back again and again."
Solomon recently contacted Palm Beach County regarding the smoking ban. "The county is the one that will do the lobbying to the state. We want the county to go to the state and say they want a ban." Solomon has scheduled an Oct. 24 meeting with Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, whose district includes Boynton Beach and 11 other cities.
Lourdes Ferris, executive director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful inc., said it makes sense for SOloman to go to both the city and the county in order to reach the state level. Ferris helped the Sand Sifters tally the 3,283 cigarette butts the volunteers collected during the international COastal Cleanup Sept. 16. "Gary's group has been very aggressive about the issue and they are now moving on to talk to the county," she said. "We would like the public to not only look at this as a litter issue, but a health issue. These [cigarette] butts are made of plastic base and contain traces of nicotine."
Sand Sifters Invited to Ocean Ridge
October 3, 2006
The Sand Sifters has been invited by Town Manager, Ken Schenck of Ocean Ridge to speak before the Town of Ocean Ridge Commission Meeting on November 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. The Sand Sifters will address the need to enforce the cities litter laws and discuss the issue of a non-smoking ban on the beaches under Ocean Ridge's jurisdiction. "Ocean Ridge has jurisdiction over most of the beach front that we clean from Boynton Inlet to Briny Breezes. This makes up the vast majority of the beaches that the Sand Sifters Group keeps litter free except for Boynton's Oceanfront and Gulfstream Park. We have been working with Ken for a few months now and he and the Commission seem very receptive. We are so pleased to meet with them and resolve some of the litter issues. Our group is very concerned about turtles and birds ingesting litter, especially cigarette butts that smokers so carelessly leave behind. Cigarette butts take 8 years to break down. It is time for our citizens and visitors to be held responsible for their actions." said Gary Solomon of the Sand Sifters. "Our beautiful county has become filled with extremely dangerous litter. Birds, fish and turtles are being born deformed and cigarette butts are being found in their stomachs. Enough already! We are pleading with our county to do something immediately to help with this effort. Recently we have met with the City Of Boynton Beach's Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and are awaiting their response. When was the last time that you felt comfortable taking your child or grandchild to the beach? I bet not anytime recently.
Boynton Volunteers Call For Smoking Ban on Beach
Written By : Jenn Bentley
September 25, 2006 - 10:25PM
It looks like one more city may be jumping on the "ban"-wagon. First Delray Beach brought up the idea of outlawing smoking on its sandy shores, and now it looks like Boynton Beach may be floating the concept as well. Advocates of the idea say Boynton's beaches have become a dumping ground of sorts for those who light up, and then use the sand as an ashtray.
Monday night, a volunteer group of beach cleaners called the "Sand Sifters" showed the results of one hour of cleaning the beach to a city Parks Advisory Board. They are hoping for stricter enforcement of the city's litter laws, or, even greater, outlawing smoking on Boynton's beach altogether. The Parks Advisory Board agreed to look at stricter enforcement of litter laws, and to explore the legality of enacting a smoking ban on the beach. Both steps would require the participation of the nearby village of Ocean Ridge. They have jurisdiction on the beach, so they'd have to be included in any action.
Buckets of cigarette butts persuades Boynton panel to recommend beach smoking ban By Erika Pesantes South Florida Sun-Sentinel Posted September 26 2006
Boynton Beach· Two buckets brimming with about 1,000 cigarette butts collected from the shores of Oceanfront Park convinced the city's Recreation and Parks Board on Monday to ask city commissioners to pursue prohibiting smoking on beaches. "These are our own homemade ashtrays," Gary Solomon said as he tilted the pails full of stubs collected during an hour's comb of the city's 965 feet of beach. "This is disgusting."Solomon, founder of the Sand Sifters, a year-old beach cleanup group from West Boynton, pleaded that board members act swiftly to save the city's beaches from litter, specifically cigarette butts.
Although the advisory board recommended the city attempt to ban smoking in beaches, and possibly public parks, policymaking ultimately is in the hands of city commissioners. However, municipalities do not have the authority to regulate smoking under the state's Clean Indoor Air Act. City officials need to turn to state legislators. Efforts to prohibit smoking near the city's shores were triggered by the large amounts of litter, ranging from diapers to fishing line and bottles, volunteers amassed during International Coastal Clean-up Day earlier this month.
The 220 volunteer Sand Sifters collected 3,383 cigarettes, said Solomon, whose group plans to address city commissioners next Tuesday. The board's motion also follows Delray Beach Mayor Jeff Perlman's proposal to divide his city's beaches into smoking and nonsmoking sections. Boynton Beach's Recreation and Parks Board also suggested placing ashtrays and signs at the beach to encourage smokers to dispose of cigarettes properly.
The board also recommended that the city enforce its lax litter ordinance. Boynton Beach would have to determine which city's jurisdiction could enforce the law since the Ocean Ridge Police Department provides services to Oceanfront Park, said Recreation and Parks Director Wally Majors. Majors said that although not enforced, the city's litter law is strict: "They can't even drop ash in our beach," he said. The litter is not only unsightly, it's also hazardous to the environment, said Sand Sifters member Janell McCracken. "It's not just people, it's the birds and the fish and the turtles," she said. "We are taking this to heart. We want to start here in Boynton and take it statewide." In July 2005, the city's Recreation and Parks Board considered a ban after Washington-D.C.-based Action on Smoking and Health, an antismoking organization, offered to help the city rid itself of smokers at its beaches. Nothing came of those efforts.
Erika Pesantes can be reached at epesantes@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6602.
Little by little we are hoping to make a change. Our meeting with the Boynton Beach Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was a good start. Per Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent, City of Boynton Beach, they are not pursuing the smoking ban at this time. However, they are working with Ocean Ridge to help enforce littering laws. They will also be ordering cigarette butt cans and ordering "butt bags".as well as using signage, etc. to market the No Littering at the beach.
This is a step in the right direction and awareness as well accessibility to trash bins and ash cans are a good start. The enforcement of Florida's litter law will also be a major step in keeping our beaches clean and safe. For more information on Florida's litter laws click her Florida Litter Law
Sand Sifters Volunteers Take Action!-3/15/07
Coastal Clean-up gets art-sea:
We are happy to acknowledge that the Coastal Cleanup t-shirt artwork was reproduced at the Lake Worth Street Art Festival that was held 2/24 abd 2/25/07. The street art was done by the Palm Beach Maritime Academy whose students participated at the Southern Blvd Causeway site. Our very own Janell McCracken was the art designer of the t-shirt. She also did the art designed for the new t-shirts that will be given out for the Great American Cleanup the April.
Lights, Camera, Take Action!!!
September 25, 2006 our plight for cleaner beaches and something to be done regarding the cigarette problem was addressed on WPEC NEWS12 11:00 news cast. Below is a brief synopsis that was put on the website.
Dear Boynton Beach Commission, We are volunteers for the Sand Sifters Beach Cleanup group. Our 365 members are made up of students, residents, snowbirds, children, local businesses, Girl Scouts, Brownies and retired persons. We hold monthly beach cleanups at Oceanfront Park, Ocean Ridge Hammock Park & Gulfstream Parks. In addition we clean all the adjoining beach and park areas to the aformensioned locations which constitutes approximately 5 miles of beach front and other. Our goal is to keep the environment clean and friendly toward animals and human beings.
On Saturday, September 16, Sand Sifter volunteers participated in the International Coastal Cleanup, the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. This cleanup has been sponsored by the Washington-based Ocean Conservancy for 21 years and is coordinated in Palm Beach County by the non-profit Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. A unique feature of this cleanup is that with detailed, standardized data cards, volunteers gather valuable information about the types and sources of debris found. Analyzed and tracked year by year, this information serves as a powerful tool for educating the public, influencing public policy, and effecting positive behavioral change on the part of individuals, organizations, and communities.
Sand Sifters Combined Location Items Collected Report. Results for the International Coastal Cleanup; Includes Oceanfront, Ocean Ridge Hammock and Gulfstream Parks) Number of Sand Sifters Volunteers:220 Biggest Concern: Cigarette butts and thousands of small pieces of plastic Items Report:
3,383 Cigarettes/Cigarette Filters 1,187 Caps/Lids 466 Food Wrappers/Containers 427 Straws/Stirrers 351 Bags Paper/Plastic 315 Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, Spoons 209 Plastic Sheeting/Tarps 207 Cigar Tips 178 Rope 151 Pull Tabs 145 Beverage Bottles Plastic 95 Fishing Lines 83 Balloons 57 Toys 55 Tobacco Packaging/Wrappers 53 Beverage Cans 52 Beverage Bottles Glass 47 Clothing/Shoes 40 Fishing Nets 40 Building Material 31 Strapping Bands 31 Bleach Bottles 29 Fishing lures/Light Sticks 25 Buoys/Floats 24 Cigarette Lighters 21 Crabs/Lobster/Fish Traps 17 Bait Containers/Packaging 16 Syringes 12 Condoms 11 Light Bulbs 9 6-Pack Holders 9 Shotgun Shells/Wdding 7 Oil/Lube Bottles 7 Tampons/Tampon Applicators 6 Car/Car Parts 3 Crates 2 Diapers 2 Batteries 1 Pallet 1 Tire
In doing our monthly beach cleanups, our Sand Sifter volunteers have always realized that cigarette-related litter has been a problem at the beaches that we clean. Now however, as a result of gathering this information for the Ocean Conservancy and tallying the numbers, we have the data to back up our concern and we feel we must ask you to support taking action to protect the health of our beaches and the wildlife that live there.
According to Keep America Beautiful, Inc., cigarette litter is a serious challenge for communities across the U.S. Individuals who would never litter beverage cans or paper packaging, typically do not consider tossing cigarette butts on the ground littering. Dropping partially-smoked cigarettes, cigarette butts, matches, lighters, and packaging to the ground, however, is littering and individuals can be fined for violating Florida's litter law. In addition, what most people don't realize is that cigarette butts are actually cellulose acetate, a man-made fiber spun to look like cotton thread. These fibers break down very slowly, sometimes taking years. The fibers in a cigarette filter and the remaining tobacco contain several residual alkaloids, including nicotine, posing a health problem for wildlife when ingested. Birds, for example, have been known to use it for nesting and even think it's food.
Armed with the data above, and the second-hand smoke concerns of many of the citizens who use the beach, we initially thought that we could come before you to plead our case to consider passing an ordinance to ban smoking on the beach. However, we recently learned that City of Delray Beach Mayor Jeff Perlman, had asked his City Attorney to research the matter. Apparently, an opinion was given in 2005 by the Attorney General, to the City of Margate in Broward County who was seeking to regulate smoking in its City parks. According to the opinion written by Attorney General Charlie Crist, Chapter 386, Florida Statutes, "expressly preempts regulation of smoking to the state and supersedes any municipal or county ordinance on the subject. The plain language of this preemptory provision makes it clear that the Legislature has directed that the state, not local governments, regulates smoking wherever it may occur. Therefore, although local government can enforce the litter law by fining people who toss cigarettes on the sand, local government cannot, according to this opinion, prohibit smoking on the beach or any outdoor park.
Because we feel very strongly about this issue, we ask that the Boynton Beach Commission use all the resources at their disposal to lobby our state delegation to change Florida Statute to allow local governments to regulate smoking at its parks and beaches, or if the state insists on jurisdiction, a similar state-wide regulation of smoking in environmentally sensitive areas as there are in restaurants and other public areas. Until this can be accomplished, we also ask that the Commission direct law enforcement to accelerate their efforts to ticket smokers who do not properly dispose of cigarette butts at our beaches and surrounding areas. And in the meantime, we would also support the placement of ash receptacles at key locations at the beach. Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. has provided us with cigarette pocket ashtrays that can be given to smokers as well to properly dispose of their cigarette butts. Similarily, law enforcement and other beach staff can carry these to distribute to smokers on the beach.
The Sand Sifters are willing to provide our valuable time to help clean Boynton's beaches to keep them healthy and pristine. Now we need the City Commission's help to solve this perplexing problem for the benefit of our ocean, wildlife, and citizens of the City.
Sincerely, Gary Solomon
Press Release: September 5, 2006 Sand Sifters To Receive Award for 1st Year Anniversary
The Parks Superintendent for the City of Boynton Beach, Jody Rivers will present the award to the Sand Sifters volunteers on Saturday September 16, 2006 at Oceanfront Park. The award presentation will coincide with the International Coastal Cleanup sponsored by the Sand Sifters and Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc.
"Our first year has been a spectacular success. The Sand Sifters have made a major impact in our effort to keep the beach litter free. It is a great honor to receive this award from Jody Rivers the Parks Superintendent of Boynton Beach. With Jody and Ginny's support we have formed into an Adopt-A-Spot group with the S.W.A.. Oceanfront Park is our home base, but this past year we have also annexed Ocean Ridge Hammock Park, the adjacent beach as an Adopt-A-Park location through Palm Beach County."
"Most importantly though, are the hundreds of caring volunteers who come to our monthly events that are the life blood of this operation. Without them none of this would exist. Cudos to all of them. We have a terrific group of volunteers who are really forming bonds. It is so nice to come out and converse and see so many familiar faces. An extended family is forming. We have had poetry contests and Prom Ticket Drawing. Moving forward we are happy to announce our newest Beach Cleanup Adopt-A-Park Location, Gulfsteam Park which will also be receiving Sand Sifters volunteers on September 16th. It is only a natural for us to keep the other local beaches clean since our garbage is theirs too!" says Gary Solomon founder of the group