SOLV's Great Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup!!

Yahoo! It's that time again, boys and girls--- time to break out your rubber gloves and windbreakers, sweatpants and sweatshirts. Don't forget your hat and sunglasses, too, just in case it's sunny--- you don't want to miss a piece of trash because of that rare sunbeam!

Yep, that's right--- it's time for the biannual Great Oregon Beach Cleanup, put on by SOLV! This year's Spring Cleanup is this Saturday, March 20, 2010. Although, to tell you the truth, you can actually pick up trash at the beach any time you go there, the cool thing about this is that you'll have hundreds of other people out there at the same time as you, doing the same thing--- not to mention the fact that official SOLV volunteers will take your trash bags to the dump for you so that you don't have to pack it home.

I remember one year my girlfriend and I were 3 hours late to the cleanup--- the official time is from 10am-1pm--- so we got weird looks from the SOLV volunteers at the site when we requested bags upon our arrival. We explained that since we were late, we intended to pick up trash for 3 hours and pack the trash home with us. They thought that was awesome, and gave us a few extra bags.

My girlfriend and I don't always make it to the cleanups, but we always note when it is and make a valiant attempt to get babysitters (when our husbands are being jerks and refuse to watch the kids while we're gone). This year my husband is gone, but I do have a sitter, and her husband has agreed to keep her kidlets, so we will be out there, as early as we can be, to make our mark on the beach where we can.

Anyone can do this, even some kids (mine require more overseeing than I can manage while still picking up garbage)--- I've seen Scout troops out there. For official SOLV stations, where you can get empty trash bags and leave the full ones, go here. Remember to bring your own rubber gloves, though--- they have provided some in the past, but I believe that they do not still do this. And trust me--- you'll want gloves!!

Another tip you'll want to know, since I've had to learn it the hard way, is this: Walk as far down the beach as you're planning to clean, and THEN start picking up trash on your way back. As I said, I've learned this the hard way, picking up trash as I walked as far as I could--- which generally meant until I was tired--- and then had to haul all that trash all the way back, getting still heavier as I found more trash I'd missed before (and sometimes skipping the heavier stuff 'cause I was so tired!), being completely exhausted by the time I got back to the starting site. I only did this twice before learning the lesson. I find now that I can do a much better job of cleaning if I pick up the trash only on my way back, because I have more energy.

Reposted from the SOLV website, just in case you don't see it (any bolding is mine):

General Safety Tips

* Plan for the weather with layers of clothing, sunscreen, rain gear, etc.
* Wear gloves and sturdy shoes.
* Work with a partner and watch out for each other’s safety.
* Watch out for other volunteers’ safety, especially when working close together.
* Pace yourself, don’t overexert.
* Take breaks, rest, don’t work continually. Drink water, eat a snack.
* Follow common sense practices when lifting heavy items: use your knees, not your back.
* Fill collection bags only 2/3 full, especially when handling heavy items.
* Be sure that you are physically capable of what you intend to do before you attempt it; ask for help if you need it.
* Watch for any heavy equipment, trucks or winches that might be used on-site.
* Watch for poison oak, poison ivy, Giant Hogweed, or other plants to which you may be allergic.
* Wear heavy gloves, long sleeves and long pants around blackberry plants.
* Leave the site if hazardous conditions, such as disturbed bee hives exist, especially if you have an allergy or are otherwise susceptible to the conditions.
* Use sunscreen and mosquito repellant when outdoors

Safety tips for youth volunteers

* Confirm age restrictions for the project site.
* Review safety information and “rules” with youth before arriving at the site.
* Supervise youth activities on site.

When working on the beach

* Watch for sneaker waves: never turn your back on the ocean.
* Stay away from logs in or near the surf.
* Use caution on steep banks and cliffs. Follow posted safety information.

When working around water

* Use caution around swift running water.
* Wear a life jacket when using a boat or raft.

When working near traffic

* Wear a safety vest.
* Stay off the roadway
* Stop often to orient yourself and make sure you’re not wandering close to traffic.

When working on steep slopes or banks

* Make sure your footing is stable.
* Stay away from cables that may be used to haul items upward.

When encountering hazardous items: Don’t touch – Mark the item and contact the Site Coordinator

* Identify each item before you touch it. If you are uncertain about an item, leave it alone.
* Do not touch medical waste or hazardous materials, including syringe needles, bandages and condoms.
* Don’t touch containers with unidentified liquid or material in them.
* Don’t touch propane gas tanks. They may be used to manufacture illegal drugs and can explode.

In case an accident occurs

* Know where the first aid kit is.
* Know where the nearest medical facility is located.
* Know where the nearest phone is. If it’s a cell phone, make sure you have a dial tone. Dial 9-1-1 if emergency medical care is required – know your location.


Hope to see you out there!