Sarasota residents clean up Siesta Beach after July 4 celebrations

Michael Shay said about 10 years ago, when the Liberty Litter Cleanup first began, that volunteers were greeted by easily visible impacts from the Fourth of July celebrations the night before. 

While county has since ramped up its trash removal efforts, he said he still feels compelled each year to support the environment by volunteering for the cleanup.

On the morning of July 5, others who shared his initiative could be seen across Siesta Key Beach. 

Multiple volunteers were searching the sands that morning, whether they belonged to the Liberty Litter Cleanup, an event by Keep Sarasota County Beautiful held each year in multiple locations, or another party. 

Another group present included a cleanup organized by the local business Driftheory. 

Danielle Ferrantino, the owner of Driftheory, said it was important to her to give back to the environment for the central role it has played in Driftheory's handcrafted jewelry incorporating natural materials from local beaches.  

Although trash became increasingly scarce during the early morning, volunteers said each year, there are still plenty of items to remove. 

Eric Pugh, a volunteer with the Liberty Litter Cleanup, recounted finding “all kinds of crazy stuff” including kids’ toys, shoes, ketchup packets and broken chairs.

“A big thing previously was floss picks,” he said. 

“I feel like it’s so important that we clean up after all the toxic mess that humanity has done the night before,” said Adonai Tzidkenu, a volunteer with the Liberty Litter Cleanup. 

She said wires from fireworks around the area had the potential to affect birds, turtles and marine life.

“Their life is important to the collective ecological structure, and we should respect all life,” she said. “Do not let lawlessness be the stumbling block to the weak.”