Our parks and beaches are special places where families unite, keiki play, and communities connect with nature. We bring meals, snacks, and toys – everything needed for a fun day outdoors. But these outings often create trash, from food wrappers and packaging to broken toys and plastic utensils.
Some outdoor spaces don’t have enough trash cans or recycling bins, and the ones that do are often full. Overflowing bins create environmental pollution when trash and debris are scattered by the wind or washed into nearby storm drains.
The good news? With just a little preparation, you can ensure your summer memories don’t leave a lasting mark on the environment. Here are some simple tips to travel responsibly with your trash:
Keep a trash can or bag in your car. A small trash bag or container in your car can make a big difference. Whether you’re picking up drive-thru food or collecting snack wrappers from the beach, having a designated place for your trash keeps both your car and the environment clean.
Take your trash with you. Not every park has trash bins and even if they do, they may be overflowing. Plan to carry your trash out with you. Roll it up tightly, stash it in your pack or car, and throw it away at home where it can be disposed of properly. If your trash needs extra containment, secure it in a bag before packing it out to minimize leaks.
Collect your recyclables. Instead of throwing your recyclables, like aluminum cans and glass and plastic products, away in an outdoor trash bin, make an environmentally conscious decision to recycle them at home.
Minimize your waste. Choose reusable items like water bottles, utensils, containers, and cloth napkins. The less single-use waste you bring, the less you have to throw away later.
Make cleanup part of the outing. Wrap up your outing with a quick cleanup. Spend the last 10 minutes picking up trash as a group. It’s an easy way to teach keiki sustainable habits and leave your space better than you found it.
Mahalo for doing your part to keep Hawaiʻi’s beaches, parks, and roadways clean! With a little effort, we can all help protect the places we love.
We should be ordering branded car trash cans soon and might have them by the August