Coastal Cleanup Day encourages the public to fan out to beautify creeks and beaches

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The 2023 Coastal Cleanup Day takes place Saturday at 31 sites when volunteers head to beach areas and creeks to pick up trash and other discarded items.

Explore Ecology said Coastal Cleanup Day is the largest volunteer effort in California.  It's a day to give back to the ocean, beaches, and creeks.

That's where trash is found or is on its way to the ocean.

Organizers say "the trash left behind today can be a problem another day."  Rain can move trash build up into the ocean.  

Jill Cloutier with Explore Ecology said among the offending items are paper, bottles and micro plastics.

Mia Rahman with Explore Ecology said, when she goes to Hendry's beach, "it's shocking to me how we have field trips that come so often that do beach clean ups and we have the monthly clean ups and it is one of the most peoples favorite beaches in Santa Barbara county and  there's still so much you can find every time."

The effort is often life changing for those who are trying to clean up the environment.
Clotier said, "if you're tired of complaining about the environment animals eating trash and those turtles eating plastic bags   Saturday is the day you can actually do something."

Those who participate should bring any bags or gloves they have. They can also sign up for prizes for their effort.

Coastal Cleanup Day is a joint effort by Explore Ecology, the County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery and Waste Management, with support from Project Clean Water and the Cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Solvang. 

The California Coastal Commission organizes the statewide event and the international event is organized by the Ocean Conservancy.

For more information go to: Explore Ecology