Our coastline has nearly eight times more litter per mile than our roadways and waterways. As the weather heats up and San Diegans hit the beach, we can all do our part to protect our shoreline.
Here are three sustainability tips for your next beach trip.
- Practice a plastic-free beach day
One of the most effective ways to reduce marine debris and litter is by challenging yourself to a plastic-free beach trip. This starts with sourcing and packing reusable water bottles, reusable utensils, and containers. Investing in a reusable water bottle may seem small, but small actions add up.
The average stainless steel water bottle lasts up to 12 years. In one year, your reusable bottle can save over 156 plastic bottles from being used.
On top of protecting our environment, your reusable water bottle is cool. Make it uniquely yours by adding your favorite stickers and a metal or bamboo straw.
The same goes for picnicking on the beach.
Plastic forks and baggies break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. While they are almost invisible, they contain toxic chemicals found in our water, food, and air.
Trading your sandwich baggy for a reusable one and ditching single-use plastic utensils stops microplastics at the source. Opt for a reusable travel utensil set as your go-to for beach days.
- Leave no trace
Anything left behind is likely to make its way into the water. Before you leave, make sure to dispose of all your waste in the correct bins.
- Recycle: Hard plastics like bottles and cans, paper, cardboard and cartons
- Trash: Wrappers, cigarette butts, and bendable plastics like straws, forks, and knives
- Compost: Food scraps like fruit peels
While the beach may not have green organic waste bins, you can bring a to-go container to throw your food scraps and soiled paper in your green bin at home.
If the beach doesn’t have any waste bins, make sure to pack everything out and dispose of it properly at home.
Once you’ve scanned your area and it’s clear, you’re good to go. Extra good Samaritan points for picking up litter that does not belong to you.
- Repair and reuse
When your beach gear starts to weather, it may be tempting to throw them in the trash.
But don’t! You have options to keep old gear out of the landfill.
To repair old wetsuits, surfboards or paddleboards, visit wastefreesd.org. Put in your zip code and choose the repair dropdown. You’ll be directed to repair shops near you.
If your gear is beyond repair, you can find disposal sites for these items, plus plastic toys and fishing lines, on wastefreesd.org.
Looking for new beach chairs, umbrellas, or coolers? Instead of buying them new, you can support a circular economy by checking out your local thrift store.
Your Contribution to a Cleaner Coast
San Diego is a coastal paradise that we are lucky to call home.
Next time you head to the beach, pick one of these tips to try. When you practice these habits, you advocate for the beaches we all share and love.
