Suncoast Surfrider Foundation members and supporters defied the heat and blazing sun Saturday morning July 26th to pick up litter on Upham Beach. Cigarette butts were everywhere, as well as various plastic bottles, bags, paper products, etc.
It was observed by many people who frequent Upham Beach (myself included) that much of the trash comes from youth who come to the beach and leave their drink and fast food containers on the beach when they leave. This is purely selfishness and a lack of concern for the environment and for other people who come to enjoy the beach. I spent a lot of time on the beach as a teenager–surfing, skimboarding, walking, hanging out with my friends–and I NEVER left a piece of litter on the beach. Nor did my friends.
So how about it folks, I know YOU wouldn’t leave trash on the beach, so don’t let your friends leave trash on the beach either. Just put the empty food and drink containers in the trash containers provided by your parents’ tax dollars. After all, you walk right by the trash can on the way back to your car. Why leave a mess for someone else to clean up?
