Looking for a simple way to make a difference this summer? You don’t have to wait for an organized beach cleanup to help protect Orange County’s coastline.

With hundreds of thousands of people visiting our beaches each summer, it’s inevitable that some trash gets left behind. While much of it ends up in trash cans, far too much is carried by the wind or tides into the ocean, where it can harm marine life and pollute the beaches we all love.

The next time you’re heading out for a sunrise stroll before the crowds arrive or an evening walk after everyone has packed up for the day, bring along a pair of gloves and a small trash bag. You may be surprised by how much litter you can collect in just a few minutes.

Every bottle, food wrapper, and forgotten toy picked up is one less item that could make its way into the Pacific. Better yet, small acts of kindness like these have a ripple effect—they inspire others, protect our beautiful coastline, and leave our beaches a little better than you found them.