This last week, I walked along the beautiful coast of Newport Beach. As I watched the waves, surfers, and palm trees in the wind, beachgoers gathered to enjoy the sunny day. Despite the nice view ahead, looking down, I couldn’t help but notice the debris scattered along the sand. Every five steps, there was something new: a straw, a trash bag, a cup, a broken toy, a soda can, an old sock, a plastic fork, a shoelace.
I walked past endless pieces of a story. Evidence of fun days, tasty meals, outfits, and joy. Proof of life. Getting an even closer look at the sand revealed even more, thousands of pieces of plastic, forming a rainbow of garbage littering the shore.
The next day, I returned with a garbage claw. I walked less than a mile and filled my trash bag to the brim. Although it may seem small, that 30 minutes made an impact. If we all could take just 30 minutes of our day, week, or even month to clean up, imagine the difference we would see!
The Things to Avoid
We can all make better choices to protect our beautiful California coastline:
- Single-use plastics: Skip the bags, utensils, and unnecessary wrappers.
- Straws: Opt for no straw or bring a reusable one.
- Plastic water bottles: Ditch the single-use plastic and invest in an insulated, reusable bottle.
- Styrofoam: This material breaks apart easily and harms local marine life.
What You Can Do
- Properly dispose of your waste: Use designated recycling and trash bins, and ensure nothing blows away in the ocean breeze.
- Pick up waste that isn't yours: Leave every place a little better than you found it.
- Get involved: Join or support local community efforts. Organizations like Surfrider Foundation regularly organize local coastal cleanups.
We are a collective species that needs to take care of our home together. Let our proof of life be good. Have your fun, enjoy the waves, but let's leave our beaches pristine.
