They came to the beaches and got their gloves dirty and feet sandy. They dipped under the water’s surface and searched harbor bottoms below the boats.
And they worked upstream, along creeks and at parks, with one common goal: To clean the junk that litters our playgrounds, whether at the beach or further inland. To take one day to give back by doing an after-summer cleanse for the coast.
Tens of thousands of volunteers turned out for California Coastal Cleanup Day, and their efforts were expected to clean up about 100,000 pounds of trash in Orange and Los Angeles counties at about 100 sites.
The event also coincides with the larger International Coastal Cleanup Day, organized by the Ocean Conservancy and dubbed the “world’s biggest volunteer effort to protect the ocean.” More than a half-million people in 112 countries were expected to join the effort.
Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, an estimated 500 people showed up at a “Trash Free Jamboree” put on by Orange County Coastkeeper. They collected some 450 pounds of trash.
“It’s really inspiring to see the community’s response to this and know that people do care. This is something we all love, we all love the beach,” said Lauren Smith of Orange, volunteer coordinator.
“It’s amazing to see people have the passion we have as an organization. To see them come out and support us means a lot.”
Some items found in the Huntington Beach cleanup included wigs, a wheelchair, clothing including 100 single socks, knives and a flute.
Artist Katie Peck unveiled her 8-foot tall, 10-foot wide sculpture of a wave, all made out of 200 pounds of trash she found last summer at beaches like San Clemente and Huntington Beach. The recycled art was formed from the typical finds — the plastics and cigarette butts — but there were also the kids’ toys like a mermaid doll and 8 flip-flops.
“It’s one thing to say 200 pounds, but it’s another to see a bunch of water bottles, plastic and bags,” Peck said.
The art piece made of trash won’t become trash. Peck plans on displaying it at Chapman University, where she’s an art student, and hopes to showcase it at the International Marine Debris conference coming up in San Diego.
Doheny State Beach
Further down the coast, volunteers showed up at Doheny State Beach to scour the sand.
A group from Tesoro High School’s Key Club, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, found 23 cigarette butts and 32 bottle caps within 20 minutes.
“We just wanted to give back to the beach and make sure it’s clean so they can enjoy it like we enjoy it, and make sure none of the animals eat it,” said Diana Hughes, 17.
Tommy Desiano, of San Clemente, helped showcase a table covered in debris, from ropes to lobster traps and cans and bottles found littering the coast. The 15-year-old State Parks volunteer hoped to educate others on the impacts of items like balloons.
“When you have a balloon and it pops, it usually ends up in the water and turtles think it’s a jellyfish,” he said.
Aliso Viejo Starbucks barista Bree Joans, 22, came after working a four-hour shift she started at 4 a.m. Despite her early rise, she was energetic as she lifted a big black bag of trash.
“This world needs a lot of help,” she said.
Dana Point Harbor
At nearby Dana Point Harbor, the boats and calm waters made for a picturesque place — but divers who dipped under the water’s surface brought back some of what lurks beneath.
“It’s a treasure hunt. You don’t know what you’re going to find,” said Thomas Gray, a Long Beach diver who joined an estimated 60 other volunteers.
Among the interesting finds was an unopened bottle of Chardonnay.
“I can’t wait to taste it,” he said. “It’s well-aged.”
“No,” said his wife, Mona.
Gray also found a rubber ball, a handful of tools and a broken glass tabletop. Diver Babak DaVody, of Irvine, found an anchor he packed up as a souvenir.
A big pile formed, with items covered in mussels and slimy algae, that included a half of a skateboard, a bike, a roller blade, an orange street cone, plenty of empty bottles, a glass pipe likely used for drugs and even a beach chair.
“I can’t believe this stuff is underwater,” said DaVody as he looked at the big pile of junk. “People shouldn’t throw this in the water.”
Fasha Andrievskaya, of La Mirada, found everything from knives to fishing poles. She emerged from the water holding a red plastic cup.
“You expect it,” said Andrievskaya, who has volunteered at the cleanup for four years.
Xavier Collier, 8, was helping to put some of the trash into a large wheelbarrow.
“I don’t like it,” he said of all the trash found.
For mom, Stephanie Best, it was a chance to offer a learning lesson. She and her son live in Newport Beach.
“I think it’s essential for him to learn and know,” Best said. “We did it last year too; it was the same reaction: ‘Why are people throwing this stuff in there?’”
Laguna Beach
“Eco-Warrior” and Laguna Beach resident James Pribram, drew 141 volunteers who picked up 346 pounds of trash in Laguna Beach.
