[bright music] [gentle music] - When I was a little girl growing up, we had a family beach house, and before you went in the house, you'd sit on the back step and take the rag and wipe your feet off.

That's what needs to be done, you don't understand, wow, why do I have tar on the bottom of my feet?

That shouldn't be, that's not right.

So that was one of my earliest memories of why I should work to protect the ocean.

[gentle music continues] I would describe Monmouth County as a little piece of heaven.

It's tranquil and peaceful.

The ocean, that's what I love about this area.

I got involved in Clean Ocean Action through my husband, Scott.

For the past 30 years, I've been employed by Clean Ocean Action.

- We felt very strongly about the environment and how important it was.

- Thank you very much.

- Thanks for all your help, we appreciate it.

- Enjoy the day.

- Yeah, you too.

- Yep, okay, thank you.

- Thank you, ladies, for your help.

- Thanks, ladies, appreciate it.

Okay, that's it, that's what we're looking for.

It's not quantity, it's quality.

- Obviously, we would go to the beach with our kids as much as we could, and the beaches were just not what we wanted them to be.

There was litter abounded, there were marine life that were struggling on the shoreline because the water was so polluted.

Seeing all the problems that the ocean was having made us realize we have to do our part.

The ocean means so much to us, we just have to embrace the work that needs to be done and get involved.

Right there, yep, yep.

[sad music] The enormity of the ocean and the silence of the ocean is difficult in respect to getting people to understand the issues.

Litter, you see it, so you pick it up and you recycle it, hopefully.

Whereas, there are a lot of ocean pollution issues that you really can't see.

- [Scott] The world can't become artificial and that's where we're headed.

The natural world is where we started and where we need to put our focus, and the ocean is number one.

- [Mary-Beth] Eagle eyes.

- [Scott] Perfect.

[sad music continues] - [Mary-Beth] It was very apparent that we had a serious litter problem in New Jersey, coastal New Jersey, in particular, because all waterways lead to the ocean, all the litter ends up on the beach or in the water.

- It's typical everyday garbage, straws, like bottle caps, you know, pretty standard stuff, we found some big plastics as well, but, you know, it was good, it was decent enough.

- Well, thank you for participating and helping to clean the environment.

[bright music] Throughout the years, working on various issues and seeing them grow and expand and become so important and so valuable has been very rewarding.

It's much more than just picking up trash on the beach.

Beach Sweep started in Sandy Hook, one location with 75 people, and has grown now to over 70 sites throughout New Jersey, mostly coastal and a few in waterways up in North Jersey and about 10,000 people a year participate, and that's only at two times a year.

[bright music continues] About how many people?

- I think like close to 30.

- We not only collect the trash and of course, separate recycling from trash but we have data cards that have hundreds of items on them, very specific.

[bright music continues] We feel we have a clear picture of the actual litter that accumulates on the beaches.

Thank you so much.

- Thank you so much.

- No, thank you for being here.

- No, thank you for hosting us, it's amazing.

- [Mary-Beth] Every year, we tabulate all that data into an annual report.

It gives us a picture of what types of litter and quantities that are found along the coast.

And then, this data is true scientific proof that these particular items are being found in these particular quantities.

Many towns have used this data to enact regulations within their town, such as smoking bans on the beach, plastic use bans.

- [Scott] You have to let people know that you care and that you can make a difference, so that's what we try to do.

- I think where you live definitely impacts how you live but I think also what your background is plays a role.

My parents were very community minded and felt that it was their duty to give back to the community and volunteer in many ways, that's the way it was, and we try and instill in our kids a responsibility to also take care of the environment.

I think one of the most impactful parts that I've seen over the years, when someone realizes, wow, this is really important, I can do something that makes a difference.

And, to me, to see that spark of excitement when somebody understands an issue or takes that leap to go and do something, that's, to me, the most meaningful.

Thank you so much for helping.

- Thank you.

- [Mary-Beth] I have learned to persevere, to be patient, to always base anything that I say or do in fact and science.

I've learned to be flexible, it is all about the ocean and what's good for the ocean is good for business, what's good for the ocean is good for the economy, what's good for the ocean is good for physical health, mental health, being involved in the community and bettering the environment.

It's important to us and that's what you do.

Thank you.

- Yep, enjoy your day.

[bright music]