Nearly 500 VoluntEARS Make a Wave – and Do the Wave! – During Ocean Cleanup

Disney VoluntEARS Help Clean the Coastline

Enthusiastic Disney VoluntEARS couldn’t resist doing “the wave” before “making a wave” to help our oceans by heading out over the weekend to clean up the Brevard County coast line. VoluntEARS worked in partnership with the Ocean Conservancy, Keep Brevard Beautiful, United States Coast Guard and the Canaveral Port Authority, as part of the annual Florida Coastal Cleanup.

Disney VoluntEARS Help Clean the Coastline

I had the honor of welcoming the VoluntEARS and assisting in the cleanup, and I can say without hesitation that there’s no better way to spend the morning. After all, what’s better than enjoying the natural beauty of Florida while helping to protect it?

Joined by friends and family, nearly 500 VoluntEARS – a record number – helped make the beaches safe for marine wildlife and more enjoyable for everyone by cleaning up 2,500 pounds of trash on nearly four miles of coastline near the Disney Cruise Line terminal in Port Canaveral.

Starting in January 2011, Port Canaveral will be home to the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream. I’m thrilled to report that, by exploring a wide range of energy-saving initiatives and selecting the most advanced equipment, the Disney Cruise Line team has built the most energy-efficient ship possible.

Disney VoluntEARS Help Clean the Coastline

This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest volunteer event to rid our waterways of debris. Disney’s involvement in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup spans seven years; since 2003, more than 2,300 VoluntEARS have picked up more than 28,000 pounds of garbage at Florida Coastal Cleanup events.

Trash in our oceans is an on-going, year-round problem. In addition to participating in waterway cleanups in your community (all waterways eventually lead to the ocean!), you can start a “sea of change” by minimizing waste. For example, since most of the litter collected during cleanups consists of disposable items, you can help by choosing reusable shopping bags, water bottles, coffee mugs and food containers.