Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.) was founded in 2006 by Suzanne Frazer and Dean Otuski. B.E.A.C.H. is an all volunteer, non-profit organization that brings awareness and solutions to marine debris through environmental education, marine debris removal and research, and plastic reduction/litter prevention campaigns in order to protect marine life, sea birds and the ocean/coastal environment. B.E.A.C.H. is funded entirely through donations, membership and fundraising.

Environmental Education
B.E.A.C.H. provides free educational presentations to schools and the community to raise awareness of marine debris impacts and solutions to the problem. B.E.A.C.H. initiated the "Marine Debris Awareness Student Art Project" involving students in learning about marine debris and then creating paintings about marine debris impacts that were displayed in public places to raise awareness in the community. Books were created from these projects and are available to borrow from libraries in Hawai`i. B.E.A.C.H. has educational booths and information tables at community events to educate the public about marine debris and provide solutions.

Marine Debris Removal and Research
B.E.A.C.H. volunteers remove all sizes of marine debris from Hawai`i's shorelines, concentrating on those most impacted by marine debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The marine debris that B.E.A.C.H. removes ranges in size from micro-plastics including nurdles to large items such as nets. B.E.A.C.H. volunteers also document marine debris collected. It is sorted, counted, weighed and recorded. Sorting involves identifying different types of marine debris.

Plastic Reduction and Litter Prevention Campaigns
B.E.A.C.H. provides ways for the public to help reduce and prevent marine debris in order to save marine life. B.E.A.C.H. plastic reduction and litter prevention campaigns target marine debris that is causing harm to marine life. In 2011, in order to save sea birds, B.E.A.C.H. launched a campaign to reduce plastic utensils and encourage use of reusable utensils by providing reusable bamboo utensil sets. In 2010 and 2009 B.E.A.C.H. launched campaigns to recycle plastic caps and lids. In 2007 B.E.A.C.H. launched a reusable bag campaign to reduce plastic bags that harm sea turtles and supported the successful 2008 ban of plastic bags on Mau`i. B.E.A.C.H. launched a campaign on Earth Day 2007 to reduce cigarette butt litter and supported the successful 2008 ban of smoking at all beaches and parks on the island of Hawai`i.


B.E.A.C.H. suggestions on how you can help reduce the plastic load and prevent marine debris:

• use reusable bags for all shopping
• bring reusable utensil sets when you eat out
• always dispose of items properly - place recyclables in the recycling bin and trash including small items in the rubbish bin
  
• pick up litter whenever and wherever you see it
  
• pick up marine debris on shorelines before it breaks down into smaller pieces which are harder to clean up
• take home all plastic toys from the beach
• choose non-plastic toys and gifts
• recycle plastic caps and lids
• donate to B.E.A.C.H. or become a B.E.A.C.H. member as 100% of the proceeds go to helping to reduce and prevent marine debris and save marine life