Realtors Clean 350 Pounds of Trash from Waterways

Beach cleanups are commonplace; it’s where most of the foot traffic is and where the trash is most visible, yet there are many other areas along the coastlines and waterways in the mangroves that few can easily reach. That’s what the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors has sought to address with their 7th annual Clean Up Florida Waters Event, which took place last Saturday.

Realtors, their families, and volunteers all gathered on several boats to troll the waterways around East Marco Bay, Keewaydin Island, and elsewhere for trash that’d collected in the mangroves and rugged coastlines where most boaters can rarely reach. Collectively, the group collected 350 pounds of trash this year, finding items like boat bumpers, tires, propane tanks, coolers, and discarded pieces of underwear, along with other plastic debris.

The event has steadily grown over the years from a small handful of boats during its first year to now upwards of 20, with this year seeing over 50 participants.

Many different organizations across the county have also sought to get involved, from Calusa Pools, Keep Collier Beautiful, the Marine Industries Association of Collier County, Sunshine Ace Hardware Marco Island, Marco Island Water Sports, C2 Communications, Carvelli Restaurant Group, WM (Waste Management), Rose Marina, Lower Mortgage, and Collier County.

Jack Winnik, a realtor with Engel & Völkers on Marco Island who first organized and kickstarted the cleanup, said he’s astounded by the growth the event has seen over the years, adding that he and MIAAOR are still aiming to expand, looking for other community partners to expand the waterway cleanup beyond just the Marco Island area.

The impetus behind it, Winnik said, was to raise awareness of the environment and the importance of looking after the waterways, which usually don’t receive as much attention for cleanups due to accessibility issues.

“We do plenty of beach clean-ups, and we have huge participation as well; however, to get people on the water and dedicate three, four hours one time a year, it's not as easy as doing a beach clean-up,” said Winnik. “It's mostly spreading awareness about being on the water, your ecosystem, and about your wildlife, and being responsible and keeping your waters clean.”

Out on the water, Winnik piloted his boat along the inland side of Keewaydin Island, wading into the water to draw out construction lumber, bottles, rusted propane tanks, and a ripped pair of underwear, aided by the other volunteers onboard who assisted in bagging and recording items, and keeping things coordinated with the other vessels on the water.

Those aboard, some first-time attendees and others returning from previous years, said they were enthusiastic about getting the chance to be out on the water and make a difference in cleaning up the waterways.

“I have a passion for the ocean; I walk every single day on the beach as soon as I can. When I get off from work, I walk on the beach,” said Angelica Andrews, another realtor on Marco Island. “We want to serve and give back to the community, and it's just so beautiful. We need to keep our paradise, paradise.”

All captains involved in the event received an appreciation bag during the celebration when all the boats convened on Keewaydin Island at the end of the cleanup, along with half-price discount tickets to the Naples Boat Show.

Next year, Winnik said he tentatively plans to host the cleanup just after the 4th of July to bring in more captains and clean up leftover trash from visitor boat traffic over the holiday.