PENINSULA The success of this years Fourth of July beach cleanup was helped in part by donations made via a program through Peninsula Sanitation that allows residents to donate to the cause by including a donation check with their monthly sanitation bill.

The program, which started in March, encourages people to Treasure our Beach! by including a separate check with their regular bill written out to Peninsula Sanitation for the beach cleanup fund in any amount. According to beach cleanup organizer Shelly Pollock, the fund has generated about $1,000 so far. All the funds generated go toward dump fees for the garbage collected during their January, July and April cleanups. According to Pollock, dump fees are the groups number one cost.  

Its really nice of the sanitation company to do this for us, says Pollock. 

Of the beach cleanup fund, owner of Peninsula Sanitation Service, Inc., Diane Carter says, I think people just need to continue to support it. Its a really good thing. She says that the problem of beach litter will probably only continue to increase in the next few years as debris from the devastating earthquakes in Japan begin to wash onto our beaches. 

This years July 5 cleanup attracted about 600 volunteers and took 15 tons of garbage off our beaches. The dumpsters were put out on July 4 at each approach and were about half full before the cleanup the next day. Local volunteers, merchants, and the city crew helped out by handing out garbage bags for people to use while on the beach. Pollock says the amount of trash found was about average or a little below but that many areas of the beach were in pretty good shape. 

It didnt look like there was a lot of illegal dumping like weve had in years past, she added. Were just hoping this is the start of a really good trend and that people are starting to pick up after themselves and are being a little more aware.   

Next year, the Grass Roots Garbage Gang will celebrate its 10th year and the cleanup scheduled for Jan. 21 will mark the groups 30th organized beach cleanup. Pollock encourages everyone to come out Its a pretty amazing event.