Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday; here’s how you can participate in Southern California
Despite the name, it’s not just about the beach any more.
What started as California’s Coastal Cleanup Day in 1985 eventually blossomed into an annual International Coastal Cleanup Day, with this year’s event taking place Saturday.
Last year, nearly 800,000 people participated worldwide — often miles from the coast — and gathered 20 million pieces of trash, according to the Ocean Conservancy.
As part of the 2018 effort, more than 100 cleanups will be held in Orange and Los Angeles counties, with thousands expected to pitch in.
The primary focus remains on keeping plastics and other non-biodegradable trash out of the ocean and off the beach, but more than two dozen cleanups will also be held at the region’s inland parks, waterways and nature areas. The event is touted as the state’s largest volunteer cleanup effort.
The top items collected in California cleanups over the past three decades are cigarette butts, food wrappers, bottle caps, cup lids, bags and straws, according to data compiled by the California Coastal Commission. The commission and the Ocean Conservancy help coordinate the events, which are individually sponsored by a host of groups including Heal the Bay, Orange County Coastkeeper, Trails4All and the Surfrider Foundation.
Below is a sampling of events in the two counties. Details of most events statewide — as well as information on reservations, required for some cleanups — can be found at coastal.ca.gov or on the interactive map below, with locations showing the meeting place.
Participants are encourage to bring their own reusable bags or buckets, gloves, reusable water bottles and sunblock. Most events begin at 9 a.m. and last until noon.
Orange County
San Clemente: T Street Beach, 339 W Paseo De Cristobal. 9 a.m.
Dana Point: Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 9 a.m. Closed-toe shoes required.
Newport Beach: Upper Newport Bay, Back Bay Science Center, 600 Shellmaker Road. 8:30 a.m. Minimum age is 12. This cleanup uses boats and fills up, so early reservations are recommended.
Huntington Beach: On the beach at the foot of Huntington Street. 9 a.m.
Santa Ana: Tent east of W. McFadden Avenue parking lot at Jerome Park, 726 S. Center St. 9 a.m. Closed-toe shoes required.
Trabuco Canyon: 31601 Trabuco Creek Road. 9 a.m.
Los Angeles County
Long Beach: Cherry Beach at the foot of Junipero Avenue. 9 a.m.
Redondo Beach: Redondo Beach Pier, 140 Coral Way. 9 a.m.
Playa del Rey: Dockweiler State Beach, Tower 54, 11999 Vista Del Mar. 9 a.m.
Venice: Tower Rose, at the foot of Rose Avenue. 9 a.m.
Pasadena: Arroyo Seco, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. 9 a.m.
Pacoima: Paxton Park at the intersection of Haddon Avenue and Del Sur Street. 9 a.m.