Note that if you purchase something via one of our links, including Amazon, we may earn a small commission.
By Jasmin Tupy, operations manager at Heal the Ocean
Heal the Ocean (HTO) is a local Santa Barbara nonprofit that works to keep our coastlines pristine for future generations. It is important to keep in mind that everything on land will always make its way to the ocean. We are excited to share how you can get involved with our programs that focus on preventing harmful onshore pollution!
Dog Bag Dispenser Program
Dog waste is toxic to the environment and oceans, so it’s important to pick up after your pooch, and local bag dispensers make it easy. In 2010, when Santa Barbara County stopped stocking dog dispensers due to budget cuts, HTO partnered with the county to provide funds through a sponsorship program supported by businesses advertising on dispensers. Each year, HTO supplies about 100,000 biodegradable bags year-round for parks, beaches, and trails from Rincon to Jalama. These eco-friendly bags are a better alternative to standard plastic ones.
Styrofoam Recycling Program
Since Styrofoam can’t be recycled in blue bins and often escapes landfills, endangering wildlife that mistake it for food, it is harmful to the environment. Since July 2021, thanks to community participation, HTO and MarBorg Industries have diverted over 40,000 pounds of polystyrene from the Tajiguas landfill through Santa Barbara’s first Styrofoam Recycling Program. Residents can bring Styrofoam to designated centers, where it’s compressed into pellets and upcycled into products like housewares and toys, giving it a second life. Keep up the great work by recycling your Styrofoam! Take Styrofoam to 20 David Love Place, Goleta, or 132 Nopalitos Way, Santa Barbara.
Beach Cleanup Program
HTO’s beach cleanups thrive thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our community. We provide groups with reusable gloves and sturdy horse feed bags instead of plastic. Participants play a vital role in tracking and inventorying the collected trash to identify the most common debris at each beach, guiding future cleanup efforts. Students can also earn community service hours while making a tangible impact. By joining us, you’re not only cleaning beaches, but also contributing valuable data that helps shape a cleaner future for our coastline.
Get Involved!
To learn more about any of HTO’s programs, email [email protected] or call 805-965-7570.
Heal the Ocean focuses on wastewater infrastructure — sewers and septic systems — as well as ocean dumping practices that have contributed to ocean pollution. We are focused on Santa Barbara County, but our methods now serve as a model for other coastal communities across the country.
The Ocean Connects Us All. Think Globally. Act Locally. It Starts at Home.
