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Summer provides a welcome chance to reconnect with nature and recharge. While studies confirm that spending time outdoors reduces stress and improves well-being, these benefits are diminished by pollution and environmental damage. By practicing responsible outdoor activities, we can help protect our natural spaces to ensure we can fully enjoy their benefits for many years to come.
Caltrans and Clean California recommend a few simple tips to help keep public spaces and communities safe and litter-free:
- Pack It In, Pack It Out. Leave no trace by bringing a trash bag and carrying out everything you bring in, especially in remote areas. Keeping outdoor spaces clean and beautiful allows you and others to fully enjoy nature. And if you pick up some random trash from others along the way, then you are blazing a trail others are sure to follow.
- Go Reusable, Reduce Waste. It’s important to stay hydrated while participating in outdoor activities but remember to choose reusable containers over single-use plastics. That small step can help keep harmful toxins out of our water, and those plastic water bottle caps from littering our trails and forests. If you do use cans or plastic bottles, be sure to properly recycle every part of them.
- Responsibly Dispose of Items, Big and Small. Cigarette butts remain the most common piece of litter, and food wrappers and cups are high on the list as well. So be sure to properly dispose of them. Also, don’t leave behind bulky broken items like canopies, chairs, or coolers. Remember, trash left behind becomes a magnet for more trash and is very harmful to our environment.
- Secure Your Load. Whether you’re driving a short distance or traveling across the state, make sure to properly tarp and tie down items on your car or in your truck bed, trailer, or boat. You don’t want your items flying out and becoming roadside litter, endangering other drivers and polluting our environment.
- Prevent Wildfires and Toxic Pollution. In California’s dry climate, even a small cigarette butt can spark a devastating wildfire. Human-caused wildfires account for 95% of all wildfires in California. Properly dispose of all waste to prevent fires.
- Do an Area Cleanup: Before leaving your recreation spot, take a few minutes to make a last sweep of the area. Pick up any litter you find, even if it’s not yours. This simple act not only helps keep the environment clean but will give you a great sense of accomplishment and connection to the space.
Ready to take action? Discover even more tips and resources for responsible outdoor recreation at CleanCA.com. Let’s make this summer a season of responsible exploration and environmental stewardship, ensuring these natural treasures are preserved for future generations.
Take pride in your community and help keep it clean by pledging your support through the Clean California Designation Program at CleanCA.com/Designation. Together, we can all reap the full benefits of nature for our well-being.