Since summer of 2018, Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew has engaged thousands of volunteers in collecting more than 180,000 litter and debris items, as recorded in the Litter Journal of the South Carolina Aquarium’s Citizen Science app. Those who join us in our active calendar of litter sweeps – and those who pitch in on their own – should know with each item they collect that they are helping keep the island, as well as the ocean, healthy and beautiful. However, our end goal is litter prevention, not litter collection, and everyone who visits the beach on Isle of Palms can help us in that pursuit.
We can all look to the wise, simple advice attributed to 19th-century Native American leader Chief Seattle: “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” But the Litter Journal data documented for Isle of Palms tells us that a trip to the beach these days can get complicated and messy.
Here are more specific ways you can be a part of the solution, not the pollution. Some might surprise you.
Pack Smart
FOLLOW BEACH REGULATIONS.
The City of Isle of Palms prohibits glass bottles, alcoholic beverages and balloons, as well as single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and stirrers. Other prohibited items include coolers, cups and food containers made with polystyrene (Styrofoam). Smoking is not allowed on the beach or access paths, largely because of cigarette butt litter, which seems to be declining but is still pervasive with close to 6,000 documented in the Litter Journal for the IOP beach in 2023.
PARE DOWN WHAT’S IMPORTANT.
Only bring toys and other items that you can keep track of, and otherwise ask yourself: “Do I really need to bring all of this stuff?”
LIMIT PACKAGING AND DISPOSABLE PLASTIC ITEMS.
Rely on reusable items including bags, drinkware, food containers and cutlery.
DON’T BRING JUICE BOXES OR POUCHES INTO NATURE.
They require juggling multiple components that can turn into litter, including plastic straws, which are prohibited on the beach. The film wrappers for the straws also appear to get away from kids and parents easily – more than 1,800 were documented in the IOP Litter Journal data last year. The fact that they are a separate line item speaks for itself.
BEWARE OF CHEAP BOOGIE BOARDS.
There’s a relatively low-cost board on the market that’s covered by fabric on top and plastic mesh on the bottom. The cover can fray easily, exposing a crumbly foam. Please use stronger “slickbottom” boards or body surf instead.
RENT STURDY CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS IN ADVANCE FROM LOCAL VENDORS.
If bringing your own, invest in items built to last.
Limit Your Impact
HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTT.
Remember, you can’t smoke on the beach, access paths or in city parking lots. If you light up on the commercial streetscape at Front Beach where smoking is allowed, use provided cigarette butt receptacles.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR STUFF.
In addition to disposable items, we routinely collect left-behind toys, shoes, socks, other clothing and towels, as well as an occasional cell phone.
DO A LITTER CLEANUP OF YOUR OWN.
Collect at least “three for the sea.” You will probably want to do more.
DISPOSE OF YOUR TRASH PROPERLY (if possible off the beach).
The City of Isle of Palms provides yellow beach trash cans by most access paths. But the cans don’t have lids, and trash may overflow or escape as a result of animals, tides and weather. Try to throw your beach trash away at home or otherwise in a secure, covered receptacle elsewhere.
By Susan Hill Smith
IOP Cleanup Crew Co-founder
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