Join Laguna's Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday At Main Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—California Coastal Commission's Coastal Cleanup Day is back, with the slogan "Protect Your Happy Place." Communities up and down the state will pick up trash and plastic pollution from our coasts and waterways this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

In 2019, over 74,000 volunteers removed about 900,000 pounds of trash statewide. Hopefully, we'll beat that record this year.

Come to Main Beach on Saturday morning, look for tents near the iconic Lifeguard Tower or Headquarters to check in. Bring a friend and equip yourself with reusable water bottles, gloves and bags/buckets, trash pick-up devices, and sunscreen.

Register via EventBrite to make sure you participate in this day of service on Main Beach.

Two other local cleanups are happening at the same time in Crystal Cove State Park. Check-in at Reef Point or Pelican Parking Lot 3. Stay afterward for a day at the beach or an inland hike because parking fees will be waived between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. So be sure to register.

For the Crystal Cove cleanups, wear closed-toe shoes and a hat. As for all the cleanups, bring a friend, a water bottle, reusable gloves and bags/buckets, trash pick-up devices and sunscreen.

Orange County Coastkeeper is coordinating all the cleanups. Click here for a complete list of all Orange County locations and links to register.

Since the entire month of September is Coastal Cleanup Month, the Coastal Commission has a second option for participating:

Self-guided neighborhood cleanups.

Whenever you visit a local park or any other gathering spot near your home, pick up trash and prevent it from flowing into the ocean.

In September 2020, almost 17,000 people prevented about 150,000 pounds of garbage from entering storm channels that take the trash into the sea. That effort continues in 2021, another pandemic-inspired event that continues as we transition to life with COVID-19.

Download the Ocean Conservancy's Clean Swell app to keep track of your haul and have it counted worldwide. You'll join an international coalition keeping our coasts and oceans pollution-free.

Whether you participate in this Saturday's statewide event or do self-guided cleanups throughout September, be sure to fill out a survey. Your reward is a free Rubio's taco and a chance to win a mystery prize package.

Anyone who'd like to organize a beach cleanup in the City of Laguna Beach can easily get a free permit year-round. Individuals, friends, nonprofits, or even wedding parties (yes! Patch once encountered well-dressed people picking up beach debris) can throw a beach cleanup.

There is a slightly different permit process for individuals/groups with fewer than 10 participants and organizations/groups with more than 10 people. Either way, the city requires everyone to read these safety precautions:

• ALWAYS wear gloves, disposable if available, and dispose of or wash them immediately after your clean-up.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Do not pick up sharp objects.
• Do not pick up anything too heavy or anything that you will not be able to fit into your home debris bin.
• If you clean up near a waterway, be mindful of the conditions, and be careful near the water’s edge.
• Keep a safe distance from all wildlife.
• Do not pick up or disturb natural objects, such as leaves, nests, or eggs.
• Avoid over-exertion, sunburn, heat exhaustion and dehydration.

"Protect Your Happy Place" this month and every month. But this month, you'll get a taco for your efforts!