Rotary Supports the Environment
People who walk our beautiful beach early on the weekends have probably observed blue-vested Rotarians picking up trash and putting it into white buckets.  Coronado Rotary has been “keeping it clean” on the beach every month for decades. But it was only this summer that a Committee to Support the Environment was formed.  In response to a Rotary International initiative to add an Area of Focus called Save the Environment, a group of talented and energetic Rotary members with a passion to serve the community and take care of the planet agreed to organize community cleanups.
In the three months since the Committee was formed, they have held 14 Saturday cleanups.  Groups get together on the first, second and fourth Saturday of each month, focusing on Centennial Park, Orange Avenue and the Silver Strand Bike path.  Small groups from 3 to 10 people, including their family members have spent over 127 hours improving Coronado by picking up over 500 gallons of trash.  


 
The trash is made up of 52% plastic, 28% paper, 8% glass, 10% metal and 2% organic waste.  Trash that is recyclable is recycled.
What sorts of items have made up the trash picked up?  Cans and bottles, sports balls, a rug, a shower curtain, holiday lights, and a large number of face masks.  The most frequently found trash includes cigarette butts and silk flower petals, which do not biodegrade.
We have all been taking out meals more often with the restrictions on restaurant dining.   The Committee is also focused on reducing waste, particularly plastic waste, by promoting the use of reusable utensils and straws, and recyclable plates and cups with take-out meals. 
Are you shocked by the amount of trash the committee is finding?  Do your part and when you see trash, pick it up and put it in a trash receptacle.  Doing so will help to keep our wildlife healthy and our bay and ocean clean.