Beach Cleanup Guide

The information in this guide is based on the California Coastal Commission’s “Coastal Cleanup Day Site Captain Guide.” If you are a Beach Captain participating in SLO County Coastal Cleanup Day, please contact ECOSLO at info[at]ecoslo.org for the full version of this Beach Cleanup Guide. Click here for general information about Coastal Cleanup Day.

BEFORE THE CLEANUP

1. Scout Your Cleanup Site

Visit your cleanup site at a time when the tides are similar to those anticipated during the scheduled cleanup. Plan how you will physically organize the groups; for instance, placing the pre-registered groups at the north and south ends of the beaches and leaving the middle section available for walk-in volunteers.

Your site may have specific circumstances that can affect your Cleanup event. Prior to the Cleanup, conduct a site visit and determine needs for the following:

• A central meeting site for volunteers on Coastal Cleanup Day.
• Parking – preferably free – for volunteers.
• How to deal with any emergencies or injuries.
• What to do about any hazardous items (like syringes or waste drums) or injured animals.
• Hazardous areas to be avoided.
• Particularly dirty areas to be targeted.
• The availability of restrooms – and making sure they will be unlocked.
• Arrangement for pick-up of filled trash and recycle bags.
• Arrangement for any post-cleanup festivities you may plan.

2. Recruit Volunteers!

Get volunteers to help you with your responsibilities before and during the cleanup.

3. Make Safety a Priority

Make safety the key factor in beach cleanup operations. If you have prior contact with volunteers, advise them to wear sun block, heavy work or gardening gloves, appropriate sturdy shoes, a jacket, and to bring lunch and a beverage.

4. Optional: Plan a post-Cleanup party!

DAY OF THE CLEANUP

Plan to Show Up to the Cleanup Site at least One Hour Before Scheduled Cleanup Begins! Make sure you have all the necessary supplies (see checklist below).

5. Sign Up Volunteers and Distribute Supplies

Form teams of at least two (do not allow people to go off individually), and preferably three. Hand out the color-coded trash and recyclable bags and data cards. Maintain control of your supplies so that the surplus can be picked up and used for other cleanup programs. Be sure to tell volunteers where to leave bags and when to come back to the check-in site.

6. Give the Orientation and Safety Precaution Talk

See the “Orientation and Safety Talk” below, but please keep in mind the following:

1. In the case of syringes, instruct the volunteers not to touch the syringe at all but if possible leave a marker citing the location and tell the nearest ranger or beach manager so that they can take control of the situation.
2. A volunteer should NEVER try to pick-up, attempt to treat, or move an injured or dead animal. Call Pacific Wildlife Care at (805) 543-9453.
3. Please note that all participants should wear gloves, sunscreen, and most importantly, shoes. Glass and metal pieces are common debris items found on the beach and are not easily seen.
4. All sites be equipped with a well-stocked first aid kit.
5. The areas being cleaned, as already mentioned, should be scouted at least two weeks prior to determine if there are any areas that should be off-limits the day of the cleanup. Clearly post signs in any hazardous areas and tell all your captains and walk-in participants about places to avoid. Rip rap, beneath piers, and similar areas are dangerous areas but often tend to collect trash. Use your discretion and experience to determine safety of cleanup in those areas.
6. No one should ever go in the water (unless you are running a dive cleanup), turn their back on the ocean, or leave children unsupervised.
7. Dunes and other ecologically sensitive areas can’t always take the stress of human activity. The small organisms that inhabit a sand dune and its vegetation are easily killed by footsteps alone. Precautions should therefore be instituted for such areas.
8. Let everyone know when to return to the starting point to turn in their data card and enjoy any post-party, awards, and/or group photo opportunity with all the collected trash.

7. Start the Cleanup!

8. Site Cleanup

Make sure all the bags of recycling and trash have been picked up from all your beaches and your site is in better condition than when you arrived.

ORIENTATION/SAFETY TALK

Here are some safety rules for you to follow as you take part in the Cleanup:

1. Do not go near any large drums.
2. Wear a glove on the hand you’re picking up trash with and closed toe shoes at all times, and have clothing and sun-block to protect you from the sun.
3. Be cautious in the dune areas. The dunes are ecologically fragile and can’t bear the tromping of feet.
4. Don’t lift anything too heavy; when in doubt, don’t try!
5. Don’t touch or pick up dead animals, or attempt to move injured animals. Make your cleanup captains aware of the animals and where they are.
6. Don’t pick up syringes, needles, or any sharp objects. Mark the area and notify the cleanup captain or local official of their location.
7. Always stay in teams of at least two.
8. Avoid over-exertion, sunburn, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. When in doubt, come in early.
9. All children need to be supervised by an adult at all times.

WHAT TO PICK UP
We pick up only human-created matter (plastics, metal, glass, Styrofoam, etc.). Natural debris (algae, kelp, driftwood, etc.) is part of the natural system we are working to restore and should be left alone. Avoid disturbing plants and animals. Most of the trash out on the beach is small, so keep your eyes out for smaller pieces of trash. Sift through the sand to find more!

A word about the recycling bags – the recycling bags are for cans and bottles only. Nothing else you find on the beach today can be recycled, so please keep the recycling bag clear of any other debris than cans and bottles.

CLEANUP SUPPLY CHECKLIST

(This is a suggested list of useful items – but it's best to use your own judgement)

• Trash Bags
• Recycling Bags
• Promotional Items
• First Aid Kit
• Gloves
• Sign-in Table
• Folding Chair(s)

Additional Items

• Camera and Film
• Food and Drinks
• Prizes
• Tape, Scissors, Clipboards, Paper, and Paperweights
• Party Supplies
• Sign describing which items are recyclable
• Sun shade for sign-in table