Long Beach Rant: Trash on the Beach

I went for a walk along the beach in Long Beach on Sunday, July 5, after the 4th of July celebration, and was pleased to see that there was very little trash left along the beach. At least that was my impression until I came across a wall of trash about 40 feet long and 2 feet high dumped near the Junipero Avenue parking lot. It was a hazard not only to the sea birds picking through it, but also to curious kids and adult scavengers.

My rant goes out both to the inconsiderate beach goers who don't have the sense to take responsibility for properly disposing of their own trash, including all the illegal fireworks refuse, and also to the brilliant city workers who went to all the trouble of raking up the trash, but didn't take the initiative to get it off the beach. Bravo.

Please plan ahead when you are visiting any of our beaches, and bring a bag for collecting your trash and walk the few extra yards to dispose of it in one of the trash cans provided, or if necessary, carry it away with you to throw in the trash at your hotel.

© 2009 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com