http://wareham-ma.villagesoup.com/news/ … rday/96128

The Wareham Harbormaster Department has announced the first ever “Keep Wareham Beautiful” Coastal Cleanup Day. Residents are invited to visit the Onset Pier and lend a hand in the effort on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Coastal clean-up stations will be set up at numerous sites throughout town. Collection bags and gloves for volunteers will be provided. All marine debris collected by the volunteers will be sorted and recycled with the assistance of the Wareham Recycling Center.

Marine debris is anything that does not occur in the natural environment, including litter such as cigarette butts, cans, bottles, and wrappers, and fishing equipment like fish hooks and fishing line.

Debris takes years to break down in the environment. For example, a plastic bag will take between 10-20 years to decompose and monofilament fishing line takes 600 years, according to the Harbormaster Department.

The clean-up is a town-wide effort, so the Harbormaster Department is asking residents and associations with waterfront property to also participate! Residents with marine debris that has washed ashore, can bag the items and contact the Harbormaster Department to schedule a pick-up.

For more information about the event or to schedule a pick-up, contact the Wareham Harbormaster Department at 508-291-3100, ext. 3186 or e-mail harbormaster@wareham.ma.us.