The proliferation of the disposable lifestyle is a relatively new phenomena that is leaving behind a wake of trash and litter. Before we had access to cheap disposable plastics, people commonly used durable, reusable items such as glass jars and containers, cloth bags, and lunch boxes. Save Our Shores collects trash data during our beach and river cleanups which helps us determine the most common types of debris in our communities so that we can strategically promote reusable alternatives that can replace these pesky items. We believe that litter prevention is the ultimate way to eliminate marine debris.

Our Trash Prevention Programs focus on helping individuals and communities become aware of their contribution to the marine debris problem and identify ways to reduce that impact.

• Bring Your Own!: Our Bring Your Own! gear provides individuals with a line of reusable products that they can use in their day to day life. An added bonus is that each purchase of Bring Your Own! gear supports Save Our Shores’ other Plastic Pollution Programs.
  
• July Fourth Pollution Prevention is Patriotic:  Traditions of picnics and fireworks bring thousands of people to Santa Cruz County beaches to celebrate the Fourth of July. Unfortunately these activities have become laden with disposable products that leave our beaches a mess! Our “Pollution Prevention Is Patriotic” activities on July Fourth provide beach goers with the tools to Pack Their Trash. Volunteers are needed every year for our pollution prevention efforts, check our event calendarfor July 4th activities.
• Local Bans:  Some types of ocean trash are so prolific or dangerous that the best solution is to ban the use of those materials all together. In these cases, Save Our Shores advocates for legislative action in local jurisdictions within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and at the statewide level.

Calene helps spread the pollution prevention message in the Aptos July 4th Parade dressed as a jellyfish.