APEX Environmental Science students have been hard at work completing research projects on environmental concerns they feel passionate about.
Students Emily Haas ’25, Sofia Boviard ’26, and Olivia Simpson ’25 focused on the topic of coastal trash disposal—an issue relevant to the Pingree community due to its proximity to the beach. As many Pingree families are frequent beachgoers, and as others begin to plan their own coastal getaways, the students urged the community to look ahead and proactively inform themselves about local beaches' trash disposal policies.
Many towns follow a carry-in/carry-out policy. This economical solution, which requires less staff and fewer resources, also promotes a sense of stewardship in their communities. Ipswich’s Crane Beach, as well as Gloucester’s Good Harbor and Wingaersheek beaches, follow this model. Other beaches—such as Manchester-by-the-Sea’s Singing Beach, Marblehead’s Devereux Beach, and the beaches in Salisbury and Plum Island—provide trash cans for waste disposal.
Regardless of the town’s preference, Emily, Sofia, and Olivia urge the Pingree community to remember the lessons shared in Braiding Sweetgrass—last summer’s Community Read—and strive to be good stewards of the Earth by leaving no trace and keeping our shores clean.
To learn more about trash disposal policies for your local beach, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.