MERRIMACK – On Oct. 19, Merrimack High School’s FIRST Robotics team, Chop Shop 166, spent hours removing 260 pounds of trash from Wasserman Park.

“Our team has set a larger goal of giving back to our planet through events that promote environmental sustainability.” said Aidan Cox, a mentor of Chop Shop 166. “Sensible practices like our various clean ups help us play our part in ensuring that our local parks and shorelines remain free of pollutants. They are also a great opportunity to get our new members, and other FIRST teams, involved in an activity that benefits everyone.”

Chop Shop has done clean ups before. Last year, the group had a beach clean up in North Hampton and a park clean up in Milford. According to The Ocean Cleanup, there is a garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean that is “twice the size of Texas.” It is important to help keep the parks clean to prevent litter from ending up in the oceans, lakes and streams.

It is also estimated that there are “nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. roadways and waterways.”

“Having been a part of our previous clean ups, it’s really amazing to see the impact our team can have on our environment,” said Katie, the outreach lead for Chop Shop 166.

Chop Shop will return to North Hampton Beach next month to clean up the beach with the help of the Blue Ocean Society. Last year, the group removed more than 115 pounds of trash from this beach with the help of other robotics teams including Team 319 – Big Bad Bob and Team 1768 – Team Inconceivable.