PTK Goes Green

On April 25, the Upsilon Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa joined the Clean Ocean Action's 24th Annual Beach Sweep at the South Amboy Waterfront Park. According to the Clean Ocean Action's web site, their program is one of the largest in the world having grown from 75 participants at one site in 1985 to 5,163 volunteers at 115 locations in 2008. Their web site said, "Volunteers gather from Raritan to Delaware Bays and along the ocean to clean beaches and waterways, as well as underwater sites." The community service event was organized by Upsilon Gamma Vice Presidents Lisseth Onoszko and Gina Butrico, who coordinated the sign up process and guided the group to the site. According to Onoszko, 22 students attended the beach clean up. "We had a great turnout. I didn't expect it," said Onoszko. Butrico said, "It was refreshing to see that many people coming out and helping. Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about it and looked like they took a lot of the experience with them." The hundreds of different items found on the sand and in the water were classified as garbage, recyclables and other large items, for a more efficient process. In addition, a spreadsheet was used to keep record of every form of contamination found on the New Jersey shores to have a better understanding about the causes and possible solutions. The next Beach Sweep will take place in the fall, on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information about the Clean Ocean Action, any of its other programs, or to volunteer, go to their web site at http://www.cleanoceanaction.org. Picture by Federico Zanatta In the picture: Christa Peterson (left) picks up a piece of plastic while Stephanie Dawson (right) holds a white bag, used to collect recyclables.