How to Participate in Local Beach and Park Cleanups This July

Beach season is here, and you might be wondering, “When is there going to be a beach cleanup day I can join?” Every year, AMC staff, residents, friends, and family have a big beach cleanup day. We’re always inspired by the Ocean Conservancy’s annual cleanup in September. Over 30 years, this effort has collected 300 million pounds of trash!

Because we can’t get together physically due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re encouraging our residents to have their own beach or park cleanup with immediate family and roommates on July 25. Together, every small effort adds up to big results! Read on to learn the benefits of a cleanup, the supplies you’ll need, and the safety measures to keep in mind.

Cleanups Benefit More Than Just the Beach or Park

Cleaning up beaches and parks helps wildlife and the economy, is a good activity for a healthy lifestyle, and just feels good.

Beach and park cleanups leave a cleaner and safer environment for wildlife. It also encourages tourists to come visit. “In southern California, researchers calculated that in Orange County alone [cleaner beaches] could translate into $46 million in just one summer,” said Laura Parker at National Geographic .

Cleanups get you out in the fresh air and can be quite a workout. Walking back and forth for an hour or more, bending to pick up trash, and hauling away trash bags are all good exercise. Wear a fitness tracker to see what a workout it really is!

You may think that picking up trash at your favorite beach for an hour won’t make much difference, but it really will. Even if you and your group only pick up five pounds of trash, that’s five pounds of trash that won’t be swept into the ocean, and that’s something to be proud of. So head to nearby Rancho Loma Park or take a trip to Newport Beach Municipal Beach to make the world a little bit more beautiful.

Make Sure You Bring These Supplies

Whether July 25 works for you or you decide another day is best, be sure you bring supplies like these with you:

Follow Safety Guidelines

If you’d like to invite extended family and friends to join your cleanup, be sure to follow this CDC advice: “When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.” Remember also to wear your mask when it’s not feasible to maintain “a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.”

If your neighbors ask you, “When is beach cleanup day?” tell them it’s July 25 or any day during July, and we’re inviting people to clean up local parks, too! Take photos, tag Corona Pointe Resort, and use the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. We can’t wait!