Carpinteria’s beaches now have a DIY maintenance method: yellow baskets that beachgoers can use to pick up litter while their toes are in the sand.
The idea came from a 14-year-old Carpinteria resident named Elias, who sought more hands-on environmental stewardship opportunities for youth and families. He was inspired by a similar program in San Diego, called the Del Mar Shoresaver Program .
The Beach Cleanup Station Program — a partnership between the city and Carpinteria Beautiful and Relic Coastal Collaborative — includes several conveniently located stations along the coastline, near lifeguard towers. Each station is equipped with six reusable baskets that make it easy to collect any garbage that may have found its way onto the beach.