Main Beach Cleanup October 5, 2025 | Santa Cruz, CA

Our Main Beach cleanup on October 5th brought out 30 amazing volunteers who came together to protect one of Santa Cruz’s most visited shorelines—right in front of the Beach Boardwalk. Together, we collected 13.75 pounds of trash, proving once again that even a few hours of effort can make a big difference for our coast.

What stood out this time wasn’t the weight of the debris—but the type. Volunteers picked up hundreds of small plastic pieces and everyday items that often go unnoticed but pose a major threat to marine life.

Here’s what we found:

• 237 cigarette butts
• 237 six-pack holders
• 180 small plastic fragments (smaller than a dime)
• 70 plastic wrappers (food and non-food)
• 37 plastic take-out containers
• 37 foam fragments (large and small)
• 29 plastic utensils
• 24 plastic straws
• Plus bottles, caps, and bits of foam and fabric

Each piece of trash tells a story—of single-use plastics, takeout packaging, and the little things that add up to a big problem. But it also tells the story of a community that cares.

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up, picked up, and helped keep Main Beach clean for both locals and visitors. 🌊

Interested in joining our next cleanup? Sign up here:

👉 https://volunteer.surfrider.org/timeslots/EDJkMFQsK3

Every cleanup counts. Every volunteer makes a difference.