Inspired by volunteer work I took part in with the non-profit organization Save Our Shores, which involved cleaning up Seabright State Beach, I believe that providing lunch benches and trash receptacles for the beach would be a cheap and effective way to help cut down on garbage on the shore. By placing designated lunch bench areas away from the waterfront itself, beach goers will hopefully be more inclined to do their messier beach activities--be it eating, drinking, or what have you--away from the water, where kids play and animals live.

Keeping trash off the beach altogether should be a major priority, but this should be a fair compromise for all. By letting people see that there are separate areas where they can eat, relax, and subsequently throw their waste away, this should effectively help reduce the scattering of trash all over the beach. This will help reduce the risk of anyone stepping in something they wouldn't want to--be it cigarette butts or the occasional needle--as well as keep garbage away from where animals will have easier access to it.

The photo you see is just an example of the trash that I was able to find in only two hours, and even then, I was only one of dozens of volunteers that day. If we work together, we can help keep our beaches clean, for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our environment.