I bring a large garbage bag every time that we go to the beach. Though the beaches in our area spread along the coast with miles of pristine sand, at the high tide line and beyond into the jungle edge is a mass of driftwood ranging from massive tree trunks to shreds of bamboo. Sadly, interspersed within this mass is lots of plastic and styrofoam garbage.
Since I spend more time on the beach in my hammock than the surfers, I see all the plastic containers, flip flops, Crocs, styrofoam chunks, glass bottles. At first, I thought that this must be stuff that has accidentally fallen overboard from passing boats. However, I find shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, deodorant tubes. I conclude that this is household garbage from those who live right on the beach. I find it very disturbing that some people don't make the effort to bag their garbage and leave it at the trash collection box. Yet, I can not walk past it and pretend that it isn't there.
After I hang up my hammock, I walk around the immediate area and collect what has gathered since the last tide. I've been thanked a couple of times by people passing by. It is my small effort to alleviate the ocean and its inhabitants from choking in plastic.
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