Weve been doing N.J. beach sweeps since the 80s. Do they actually make a difference?

In September 1992, George H.W. Bush was still president, NASA launched the US Mars Observer and Clean Ocean Action volunteers were picking up hair curlers, dumbbells and a suit case handle from Sandy Hook beach as part of bi-annual clean-ups.

At the time, the Long Branch-based environmental non-profit organization was seven years into its spring and fall beach sweeps part of one of the oldest clean-ups in the country and likely among the first of its kind in the state, according to organizers.