Plastic-Free July Cleanup Challenge To Bring Hundreds To Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — Hundreds of volunteers will soon flock to beaches and rivers in Los Angeles County for LA Waterkeeper's Plastic Free July Cleanup Challenge, including at Santa Monica Beach.

The yearly community beach cleanup is part of a global movement that has reduced plastic waste at local waterways, with more than 4,000 pounds of trash collected just last year.

"LA Waterkeeper’s annual beach and river cleanups raise awareness of our growing plastics problem, motivating people to reduce their plastic use year-round and encouraging them to push decision-makers to address the issue on a society-wide scale," officials said.

This year's cleanups are scheduled at Santa Monica Beach, Junipero Beach in Long Beach, Compton Creek and the LA River. In Santa Monica, volunteers will start gathering at Santa Monica Beach Tower 20 at 9 a.m. on July 8.

According to LA Waterkeeper, 10 metric tons of plastic is carried into the Pacific Ocean every day and some estimates predict there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

To RSVP for any of the free volunteer events, register at LA Waterkeeper's website.