Community Corner

Volunteers Are Needed to Pick Up CDM's Butts

ZeroTrash volunteers have removed a total of more than 40,000 pounds of trash from streets in various cities.

A local volunteer group hopes that the next time you see a cigarette butt—or other piece of trash—littering Corona del Mar, you'll pick it up.

Launched in 2007 by Laguna Beach resident Chip McDermott, ZeroTrash is composed of volunteers dedicated to keeping communities clean. The group has been working in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Chico and San Diego and is making its way to Costa Mesa  and Mission Viejo. So far, ZeroTrash has removed 42,437 pounds of trash from streets, but there is still a long way to go. In Corona del Mar, the problem is cigarette butts. 

"In CDM people are using the dirt area next to the trees in the sidewalks as ashtrays. The street sweepers don't collect the trash in there. Many people walk right by and do not notice how many cigarettes are really in the street," said Mark Ward cleanup organizer. "After you pick up trash one time, you will realize how disgusting the streets really are."

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ward said this past Saturday, 10 volunteers came out to help in the cleanup, but he hopes more people will consider donating their time. The next cleanup will be held in CDM on Saturday, Aug. 6. Volunteers will meet in front of Avila's El Ranchito and pick up trash from 10 a.m. to noon.

The cleanups will continue the first Saturday of every month. To find out more about how you can help, click here.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here