Posted on July 24, 2023
The Surfrider Foundation is pleased to release the 2022 Beach Cleanup Report. The fourth annual report highlights the impacts of our national Beach Cleanup program during 2022 and presents beach cleanup data, regional case studies, current science and how our network was able to grow together and increase our power in the fight against plastic pollution.
The 2022 Beach Cleanup Report features regional case studies from Surfrider’s chapter and student club network that show how our grassroots network is truly bringing people together to protect our ocean, waves and beaches. From working closely with indigenous tribes to protect natural spaces to community-centric cleanup events that attracted hundreds of volunteers, Surfrider’s coastal activists prioritized inclusivity into their cleanup efforts, bringing people together to protect our special places.
The report also examines expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, a type of cheap plastic, and takes a deep dive into what exactly EPS foam is, why it poses widespread threats and what Surfrider is doing to solve the problem. EPS foam has negative impacts at nearly every stage of its life. From emitting greenhouse gasses during manufacturing and leaching carcinogens during use to being easily littered, disrupting feeding habits of wildlife and breaking up into hard-to-cleanup pieces, the only solution is to use less of it. But how do we do that, exactly?
In 2022, our chapters worked hard on expanded polystyrene bans to mandate change and eliminate this harmful type of single-use plastic. Surfrider’s San Diego and Los Angeles Chapters both passed EPS Foam Bans. These major victories mean that San Diego and Los Angeles are now among eight states and countless other cities to pass expanded polystyrene foam bans and regulations.
The Better Beach Alliance was founded in 2018 by the Surfrider Foundation and our Surf Industry Coastal Defender partner, REEF, to increase the effectiveness and overall impact of Surfrider’s national Beach Cleanup program through standardization and improved tools. For three years, REEF’s financial commitment to the Better Beach Alliance has expanded internationally to also support Surfrider Foundation Europe. In 2022, REEF set out to extend the engagement in multiple countries for our first global cleanup campaign with Surfrider’s many international affiliates.
The complete 2022 Beach Cleanup Report is available to view here. We’re incredibly grateful to have a dedicated network of volunteers and sponsors who share our love for the ocean. We encourage you to join us by connecting with your local Surfrider chapter to participate in this beach cleanup program that provides crucial data to implement widespread changes to stop plastic pollution at the source. When we all work together to fight single-use plastics, we can keep our ocean and beaches clean from plastic pollution today and for future generations.
