How to Clean Up the Beach

Did you know that 17.6 billion pounds of plastics enter the marine ecosystem each year? That’s a lot of trash, and any trash in our oceans or on our beaches is too much! Wondering what you can do and how to clean up local beaches? Read on!

Each summer, members of AMC and their families join together to pick up trash and help keep our local beaches clean. While we are disappointed we can’t join together en masse this year due to social distancing guidelines, we would love it if you’d join us in the cause by organizing your own cleanup!

On July 25 (or another day in July that works for you), we challenge you to organize your own beach cleanup with members of your household. Individually, we can make small efforts that lead to big results for our beautiful beaches and parks. Here’s how a local cleanup can help our beaches, what you’ll need, and how to be safe.

How a Local Cleanup Helps Our Beaches

Whether you head to Anaheim Coves or Eisenhower parks or take a trip to Seal or Huntington Beach, you’ll leave your world a little more beautiful.

“There is satisfaction to say, ‘I removed ten pounds of trash from my beach,’” says Kara Lavender Law, a research oceanography professor. “Even if it’s only ten pounds, that’s ten pounds that isn’t going to go into the open ocean.”

In addition to protecting wildlife, “clean beaches provide economic benefit to local communities in the form of tourism dollars,” says Laura Parker at National Geographic. “In southern California, researchers calculated that in Orange County alone that potential could translate into $46 million in just one summer.”

What You’ll Need

Once you’ve decided on July 25 or another day that works for you, start gathering supplies for your cleanup. On top of a reusable water bottle and quick-energy snacks, add these supplies to your list:

How to Be Safe

Due to social distancing guidelines still in place, your cleanup crew might be smaller this year, with just your roommates or immediate family members joining you. If you do decide to expand your group to those living outside your household, follow this CDC advice: “When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.” And in keeping with California’s mask mandate , wear your mask “when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.”

Cleaning up beaches and parks can really make an impact on reversing the trash pollution seen in our oceans. It’s also a great way to spend time with your family and enjoy California’s beautiful outdoors! So mark your calendar for June 25 or another day in July, and get to the beach or park! Tag The Jackson Apartments in your posts and use the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. You’ll be a great example of how to clean up local beaches! Who knows who else you’ll inspire to do the same!