From beach cleanups to policy wins, here’s how we’re taking action towards a plastic-free future.
As we enter springtime, the Plastic Pollution Initiative’s efforts and successes continue to bloom! Here are some exciting updates and highlights as we welcome warmer weather and more time outside:
🌊 Meet Jenna Schwerzmann – Surfrider’s New Plastic Pollution Initiative Coordinator!
Jenna joins us as Surfrider’s former Eastern Long Island Chapter Manager. In this role, she oversaw all the chapter activities and supported the volunteers as they led campaigns and programs, including one of the largest Blue Water Task Force efforts in the country.
Jenna has also helped lead numerous plastic pollution programs and victories, including advocating for policies that Skip the Stuff, ban mass balloon releases, and reduce straw pollution. As the Plastic Pollution Initiative Coordinator, Jenna will work closely with the initiative staff to support the Plastic Pollution Initiative’s objectives and our network. She will also play a key part in strengthening the integration of Surfrider’s plastic pollution programmatic and policy work. We’re so excited to have her join the team!
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🏖️ Healthy Beaches & Ocean-Friendly Business Programs Are Thriving
Surfrider’s Beach Cleanup program is vital in not only picking up trash and raising awareness on this issue, but also provides critical data when considering and advocating for plastic pollution reduction policies.
At the end of the first quarter, we are on track to make an even bigger impact than the previous year, with 5,200 volunteers having already contributed to 186 cleanups, collecting 34,887 pounds of debris. Want to get in on the fun? Join a cleanup event!
The Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) program is expanding, with a total of 594 participating restaurants, just shy of the 600 mark, thanks to the addition of 18 new OFRs in Q1 alone. Among these, nine new OFRs and Great Lakes Friendly Restaurants were established in key priority regions, helping to expand our reach.
We estimate that collectively our OFRs serve over 39 million single-use plastic-free meals a year. Find an OFR near you!
The Ocean Friendly Hotels (OFH) program, launched last year, is also making strides, with the count rising to 27 total, including seven new hotels added in Q1. This quarter's growth includes three in California, three in Oregon, and one in Hawaii.
So far, our OFHs save about 1 million plastic water bottles and 1.6 million mini plastic toiletries from hotels every year. Find an OFH near you!
As an Ocean-Friendly Hotel, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay uses large-form bottles rather than mini plastic toiletry bottles. Image credit: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
📣 Using Programs to Push for Strong Plastic Reduction Policies
The success of our programs strengthens the case for bold, lasting legislation.
The policy work continues with a renewed focus on statewide and local policy efforts. So far, we’ve achieved two victories in Corondo, CA, and St. Pete, FL. Surfrider’s network has developed 13 new campaigns this year, bringing the total number of active campaigns to 50. These campaigns are spread across various scales, with one federal, nine statewide, and three local.
New campaigns include efforts to reduce plastic foam across the country and target some of the biggest plastic threats in our communities, health, and environment.
Statewide Campaigns:
- Microfiber pollution (OR)
- Opposing preemption expansion (FL)
- Hotel toiletry ban (HI)
- Bottle bill (TX)
- PFAS regulation (ME)
- "Skip the Stuff" (CT, DE, and NJ)
- "Connect the Cap" (CA)
Local Campaigns:
- Construction dust (Northfield and Galloway Township, NJ)
- Foam foodware ban (Hudson, MA)
Every piece of trash removed, data submitted, Ocean-Friendly Business supported, and policy introduced and passed is part of a bigger story—one where we protect and enjoy the places we love.
We are grateful for the support and look forward to the continued work as we head into summer!