[Source: Author, Caroline Kim]
A total of 9,600 volunteers showed up to beaches, creeks, and rivers to collect trash in hopes of protecting wildlife and preventing water pollution. During the event volunteers were asked to record their findings and the trash pieces were individually counted and weighed to find the total weight of all the trash. Over 23,000 pounds of trash were collected in less than three hours!
In addition, Heal the Bay hosted their famous unusual items contest where participants competed to find the most exotic items when picking out trash. This year some of the unusual finds were: 2 row boats in Medea Creek, 2 boat motors in Lunada Bay, prime alpine skis in Arroyo Seco, an entire bike at Topanga Beach, a set of unopened men’s dress shirts at Will Rogers, a jock-strap with cup at Pelican Cove, some vodka and champagne and salami along the Torrance and Manhattan beaches, and a drone that crash-landed beneath the Redondo Pier.
[Source: Healthebay.org]
Heal the Bay expects more progress in following years and hopes to improve the current situation on pollution. The Coastal Cleanup would not have been impossible without the help of volunteers who took time out of their weekend to protect the environment.Heal the Bay holds cleanups on the third Saturday of every month and everyone is welcome to join! More information can be found on healthebay.org
