Topline:
California Coastal Clean Up Day takes place this Saturday. The annual event, which has been happening since 1984, saw 47,000 volunteers cleaning up 400,000 pounds of trash statewide last year.
Why it matters: Waste and trash, in particular plastics, remain a pollution problem for California waterways and beaches. Organizers say events like the clean up day is making a difference: less trash is being collected compared to decades ago.
Choose a location statewide: The California Coastal Commission is helping organize the effort and has created this helpful map with location information and contact numbers and emails. This year it's being turned into a gigantic scavenger hunt, with special "trash" items hidden at clean up sites across the state.
Volunteer inland too: There are also locations in Irvine, La Habra and Culver City to clean up inland waterways, which can also send trash to the ocean.
What to expect on Saturday: Organizers give out gloves and bags, but the supply is limited. You’re asked to bring your own trash grabbers, and containers like a bucket for trash disposal.
Go deeper: Ooh, you can also download the California Coastal Clean Up 2025 poster. And there are T-shirts, too.