Parks Launch Pack it In, Pack it Out Campaign

From an Island Free Press report

BUXTON — Representatives from the Outer Banks Preservation Association, the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association and the National Park Service recently gathered at Ramp 43 to unveil the first sign of a new campaign aimed at addressing the trash problem on the beaches.

Though lightly attended, the launch of the “Pack it In, Pack it Out” program represented months of effort on the parts of both the Park Service and the preservation group, and was a symbolic event that linked the two organizations in a collaborative effort.

“This is a symbolic day that represents a culmination [of our partnership] with the Outer Banks Preservation Association,” said Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent David Hallac at the unveiling. “…We’re so excited that OBPA is helping us take the next step in the ‘Pack it In, Pack it Out’ campaign.”

The campaign began months ago when the association ambassador Pat Weston approached Hallac with an idea for a potential partnership to get the word out about leaving trash behind on the beaches.

Working with the preservation group, the NPS will be installing signs at all oceanside and soundside beach accesses between Coquina Beach and Ocracoke indicating that visitors need to take out whatever they take in.

Hallac said 4 million pounds of trash were removed from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore last year, including 240,000 pounds from the beaches.

Last year, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore spent $231,000 on a dumpster contract, and an additional $183,000 on trash management – for efforts like picking up trash or emptying trash cans.

In addition to signs, postcards will be available at local businesses and park visitors center that spell out the details of what it means to ‘Pack it in, Pack it out.’”

This includes removing all beach chairs, canopies, umbrellas, and other equipment at the end of the day, as well as picking up other trash that’s spotted along the beach.

This story is provided courtesy of the Island Free Press, a digital newspaper covering Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Coastal Review Online is partnering with the Free Press to provide readers with more environmental and lifestyle stories of interest along our coast. You can read other stories about Hatteras and Ocracoke here.