International Beach Clean-Up Day Is Saturday

Saturday marks the 27th annual Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Clean-up where volunteers around the world pledge to "take on the trash" and work to clean up their area beaches, as well as promise to reduce the trash they create.

According to the Ocean Conservancy, this year's clean-up is expected to have great significance with "the anticipation of possible tsunami debris on the west coast."

Last year, the Ocean Conservancy reported that nearly 600,000 people picked up more than 9 million pounds of trash along 20,000 miles of coastlines. Items picked up included enough clothing to outfit the entire audience of the Olympics opening ceremony; enough food packaging to get takeout for lunch, breakfast and dinner everyday for the next 858 years; and enough light bulbs to replace every light on the Eiffel Tower. And the organization reported that beverage containers collected could yield $45,489, if recycled.

Locally are several beaches being cleaned up on Saturday as part of the effort:

• Ponquogue Beach, Hampton Bays at 11 a.m. The Riverhead Foundation is sponsoring the clean-up. To participate, call 631-369-9840.

• Old Farm Road, Sagaponack at 8 a.m. The Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt's adopted road is sponsoring the event. To participate, call 631-599-2391.

• The are sponsoring an event on ocean beaches from  in East Hampton and the western boundary of the State Park on the Napeague Stretch, as well as bay beaches. Find out more here.

For more scheduled clean-ups as part of the effort, click here.

Patch wants to know: How will you help the clean-up area beaches? Comment below.