A group of volunteers gathered at Rosie’s Dog Beach on the morning of Sept. 21 to participate in the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup, an event dedicated to preserving local marine life.
The event coincided with California Coastal Cleanup Day, the largest annual volunteer event in the state.
Organized by Justin Rudd, this community effort began when he noticed trash while teaching beach classes.
Rudd’s frustration with the city’s slow response led him to take matters into his own hands.
What started as a simple request for his students to help pick up trash after class has grown into a large-scale event.
“I asked them to stay for 30 minutes after class and bring a friend the next month,” Rudd said.
From there, the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup became a recurring event that drew hundreds of volunteers.
One unique feature of this event is its straightforward approach. Volunteers are provided with refreshments, gloves, trash bags, at tables set up on the beach.
Stephanie Stanton picks up a bottle cap during a cleanup. (Bella Schultz)
“We keep it simple,” Rudd said. “It’s an easy way for people to get involved without a big time commitment.”
The cleanup targets trash along a one-mile stretch of Long Beach, which Rudd says is the cleanest section of the city’s coastline.
However, the bigger issue lies upstream.
“Most of the trash comes down from the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers,” Rudd said.
The challenge is educating upstream residents to prevent litter from reaching the beach.
Rudd emphasized that the cleanup isn’t just for people but also for the animals and marine life that call the beach home.
As young volunteers join in, Rudd hopes they will leave with a newfound sense of ownership over the environment.
“We get a lot of middle and high school students,” Rudd said. “I hope they learn that this beach is public property, and we all have a responsibility to take care of it.”
The event draws a variety of participants, from students earning volunteer hours to families looking for a way to give back.
“It’s not just about picking up trash,” Rudd said. “It’s about coming together as a community to protect the beach we all enjoy.”
Zoe, a student participant, was grateful for the opportunity to take care of the beach.
“It was close to home, and we get extra credit. It’s a reminder that we have to be accountable for the things that we do,” Zoe said.
Vinnie, another volunteer, shared the benefits of attending these community events.
“It’s nice to see fellow classmates and rekindle lost friendships while working together,” Vinnie said.
Even with the ongoing issue of trash from upstream, Rudd remains optimistic about the local impact.
“If each person picks up just one piece of trash, it adds up,” he said.
His hope is that the cleanup inspires people to continue these small acts of care for the environment.
Eli Birsken, an LBCC student, is already putting Rudd’s message into practice.
“I’ve noticed little pieces of trash that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise when I’m here enjoying the beach,” Birsken said.
Rudd is also excited to see the support from local businesses that contribute to the event.
“Some shops donate snacks or prizes for our volunteers, showing how the community comes together,” he said, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the cleanup.
As the event continues to grow, Rudd is encouraged by the volunteers who return month after month.
“We’ve been doing this for 25 years, and it’s amazing to see how much people care,” Rudd said.
For Rudd, the beach is a shared space, and events like this remind everyone of their role in keeping it clean.
“It’s our beach, and it’s our job to take care of it,” Rudd said.
The next cleanup is scheduled for the first Saturday of the month, welcoming anyone willing to lend a hand.