California Coastal Cleanup Day turns the tide against the trash on local beaches.

Long Beach is taking part in the 41st annual statewide tradition on Saturday, Sept. 20. No small drop in the bucket—thousands of volunteers are expected to help haul away tons of debris.

Last year, about 1,600 Long Beach residents removed more than 1,900 pounds of trash from the sand and other marine areas in just three hours, proving that many hands make light work—and cleaner beaches.

This year, the City hopes to net even more helpers, as well as provide educational materials to inform the public about marine debris issues and inspire environmental stewardship.

There are five organized community cleanups taking place from 9 a.m. to noon at: Alamitos Bay Marina (205 N. Marina Dr.); Belmont Pier (3998 E. Allin St.); Junipero Beach (2100 E. Ocean Blvd.); Mother's Beach (5839 Appian Way); and The Peninsula (72nd Place and East Ocean Boulevard).

Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register online through the Coastal Commission’s website or register in-person. Staff and volunteers from El Dorado Nature Center, and local partners Los Angeles Waterkeeper, Aquarium of the Pacific, Algalita and Seal Beach Yacht Club will staff the cleanup sites.

Volunteers who pitch in will get gloves and trash bags. However, participants may choose to BYOB—bring your own bucket, or grabbers or gloves or whatever floats your boat. Parking is also free.

At the end of the day, it’s a shore thing you’ll leave the beach better than you found it, and the only things left in the sand should be seashells and sandcastles, not trash.

Join us this California Coastal Cleanup Day as we bring the community together to support the health and preserve the beauty of the Long Beach coastline.