Monday, September 12, 2011

Day 216 - Sept. 11, 2011


I had to start with this photograph because before I even left the parking lot, before I even got out of my car, this plastic bag blew past me. I hopped out, stamped down on it and took a picture. Would this be an omen for my Sunday night collection? Read on to find out.



life guard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA
trash collected for 20 minutes
4.6 pounds collected
817.1 pounds total



Santa Monica has adopted some pretty impressive environmental initiatives over the last few years. One of which, banning single-use plastic bags, just came into effect Sept. 1. But we need to put some lids on these cans! Do you think lids would help keep the gulls scavenger beaks from spreading trash across the sand? Leave me a comment if you have an opinion. I'd like to contact the Santa Monica Office for the Environment and Sustainability soon to ask them to replace these old bins for ones with a top. 
Your comments will help. 



I have a photography exhibit opening this Sat. the 17th. I am saving my collections from the week to display along with my photographs. This trash collection now includes 2 diapers. 2! If I was worried about how the gallery was going to smell with some salty cigarette butts, now I'm really concerned...







Full moon fever over Santa Monica last night. 

PLEASE COME TO MY OPENING ON SAT. CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR DETAILS.

6 comments:

  1. As far as the plastic bags, why is it that not all major markets are not following the no plastic? I was in Von's and the clerk put my purchase in a cheapy clear plastic that tore..when I asked for another bag she hands me a paper bag... I was told they were introducing this law slowly and my question is why??? Why are businesses being treated as children??

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bay View beach's cans have heavy lids. They work! It's not perfect; it still requires users to (1) not overfill and (2) replace the lid themselves. But surprisingly, people do a good job of keeping the lids on! It definitely cuts down on seagull-picking and windgust blowout. The best part is that the bins you have wouldn't need to be pitched out; just need a source of good, heavy lids to slap on top.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Best of luck with the photography exhibit and YES, i think lidded bins would be beneficial to the beach, people who are allergic to bee stings (i have always seen bees swarming to see if they can find something sweet), and keep the birds wild!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello..I found you on the beach shack site....love what you are doing. we are hwere in the english n.w. and have a house on the coast. when we are there we walk the beaches collecting wood for our fire, sea glass to put in a glass vase and a bag to put all the rubbish in as well. I make art conversation pieces with some of the "mad " bits that I collect.fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  5. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS!! I WILL BE FORWARDING THIS POST TO SANTA MONICA TO ASK FOR PROPER BEACH TRASH CANS. I'LL LET YOU KNOW THE PROGRESS!

    MANY MANY THANKS -
    SARA

    ReplyDelete