Outdoor Cleanup Guide

Whenever I’m outdoors, I find it really difficult to ignore our trash problem. As a kid, I’d run home from the beach with pockets full of stones, shells, and beach glass. Now, as I leave the beach, I head directly to the trashcan with fistfuls of sandy plastic and other unnatural debris. Trash has made its way onto our trails, in our forests, on our beaches, and throughout our streets and sidewalks. If you want to help your local environment by picking up trash, here are some easy tips:

1. Carry bags to hold the trash. I usually bring a large reusable bag with me, like those huge TJMaxx ones that are 99 cents, so I can sort the garbage at home. Another option is to bring a bag for recycling and a bag for trash so you can sort as you pick up. Sadly, during most outdoor cleanups, you will probably find discarded plastic bags that will double as extra trash bags for your finds.

2. Prioritize your safety. 

• Wear gloves. You might find needles, fishing hooks, cigarette butts, glass shards, or other sharp objects. Wearing gardening or work gloves will protect your hands and keep you safe. A trash picker tool can also be used.
• Bring your reusable water bottle. It’s important to stay hydrated when you are outside for long periods of time. 
• Always wear sunscreen. Even if you go out on a shady, cold day, the sun’s rays can still burn you. Opt into using a mineral based, ocean-safe sunscreen so harmful chemicals don’t hurt you or contaminate natural areas. 

3. Pick your spot. Have you noticed a buildup of trash on a certain corner in your neighborhood? Is there a trail you love that needs some TLC? Even if you are going for your daily quarantine walk, grab a bag and pick up some trash along the way. I like the idea of leaving places better than you found them, so it’s always an option to make picking up trash part of enjoying the outdoors. If you see a plastic cup sitting in the sand or a granola bar wrapper stuck in some bushes, take it with you!

4. Don’t forget the small plastics. Tiny pieces of plastic, like bottle caps, can be hard to see when they are partially buried in the sand or dirt. Keep an eye out for these bits. They are just as important to remove as the soda cans and plastic bags. 

5. Properly dispose of your finds. Sort recycling, trash, and any hazardous materials. Research if any local environmental nonprofits accept data on trash found in your area. For example, regional chapters of the Surfrider Foundation typically have a data sheet you can fill out to record the trash you removed from the beach.

While I wish there were no garbage in our natural spaces, participating in cleanups has quickly become one of my favorite outdoor pastimes. You should see the amount of sandy beach trash in the trunk of my car ? I hope this post has inspired you to pickup some trash. Share your outdoor cleanups on social media and inspire your friends to do the same. Tag @fixour_earth on Instagram so I can see all the trash you’ve removed from nature!

COVID-19 Precautions: Practice extra caution if you choose to do a cleanup. Stay away from crowded areas. Wear a mask. Your safety matters most right now.