ORANGE COUNTY, CA —It is the 35th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, September 21, and there are plenty of ways to participate around Orange County. The event is the world's largest cleanup event, a spokesperson from Orange County Coast Keeper said, and the 20th year the organization has worked together for the greater good.

"Armed with reusable bags and buckets, thousands will defend Orange County's bays, inland waters, and beaches from coastal pollution on Coastal Cleanup Day – the world's largest trash cleanup," they told us. "Trash from inland communities travels through storm drains and rivers, polluting the region's waterways and beaches." Trash cleanups stand as a last line of defense to prevent this debris from polluting local waters and harming wildlife.

Over 1,000 locations are participating throughout the state. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants who want to help remove trash from California's beaches and inland waterways, the Clean Water Program said. But the cleanups are not only on the sand — there are plenty of inland trash cleanups for the California Coastal Cleanup Day as well. Collecting litter on land is critical in helping to prevent ocean pollution, the Clean Water Program said.

Orange County Coast Keeper is celebrating 20 years of defending clean water in Orange County, they told us. When you come to help clean up, remember, to reduce waste, bring your supplies!

Workers should follow this checklist here to read more about the BYO philosophy by the California Coastal Commission. Sun protection (e.g., hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)

Reusable water bottle

Bucket or reusable bag

Reusable gloves (gardening gloves or leather work gloves) Litter, and especially plastic, is a hazard to marine wildlife, as animals can get entangled within it or poisoned if they mistake plastic items for food.

There are 111 miles of coast and trails to clean up in Orange County. Will you do your part?

Saturday, September 21 was the official Orange County Coastal Cleanup day, however, don't let one day stop you.

Patch suggests if you are out and about in nature, always follow the rule of three. If you see trash, pick up at least three pieces, if not all of it. We've found this is good for the soul, as well as for the earth.