Cox Enterprises employees diverted 370-plus pounds of waste from Dana Point during cleanup event with Orange County Coastkeeper
On Friday, August 25, more than 370 pounds of litter and harmful debris was diverted today by 300 volunteers from Cox Enterprises during a community cleanup event in Dana Point in partnership with Orange County Coastkeeper. Members of the corporate volunteer group included employees from subsidiaries Cox Automotive, Cox Business, and Cox Communications.
In addition, Cox Charities presented a $5,000 check to Orange County Coastkeepers for its Cleanup OC Program. Stand Up to Trash, the Dana Point nonprofit dedicated to protecting and conserving our beaches also participated in the cleanup.
Each year, in California, Cox holds community cleanups to prevent harmful waste from reaching Orange County beaches and impacting marine wildlife – and to keep open spaces clean for everyone to enjoy. In March, Cox Communications employees partnered with Project 3R for a clean up at T Street Beach in San Clemente. The group of 200 volunteers collected 112 pounds of waste, which included 38 pounds of recyclables that were kept out of the landfill.
Harmful Impact of Marine Debris
Summer months mean more tourists and locals to Orange County beaches, and that means an increase in marine debris that can be detrimental to our environment and local wildlife.
- Single-use plastics such as food wrappers, plastic bags, straws and plastic utensils, to-go food containers, and cigarette butts are the most commonly collected items during a cleanup, and the most dangerous pollutant as they can be ingested by animals.
- A floating plastic bag can be mistaken for a jellyfish and swallowed as food.
“Our employees care about our community, and they were ready to get out here and clear all the harmful debris that threatens the health and beauty of Dana Point,” said Chanelle Hawken, West Region Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Cox Communications. “Orange County Coastkeeper shares our mission of protecting the environment through conservation, waste reduction and public education, and our employees were proud to present them with a $5,000 grant from Cox Charities to their Cleanup Program.
“We are beyond grateful for the support we are receiving from Cox Charities,” said Irene Cordero, Cleanup OC Coordinator for Orange County Coastkeeper. “With this donation, we plan to host five cleanups in our adopted Santa Ana-Delhi Channel. We’ve hosted one cleanup so far and removed 625 pounds of trash in only two hours!”
“Protecting our coastlines and ocean from trash begins at home and in our neighborhoods. Thanks to support from Cox Charities, we will be able to host inland channel cleanups that remove thousands of pounds of trash in just hours and increase our outreach and advocacy efforts to help address this problem at source,” said Dyana Peña, Associate Director of Programs for Orange County Coastkeeper. “Cleanups are the last line of defense before the trash enters our waterways. I hope volunteers at the cleanup feel proud of the positive impact they’ve made. We are grateful and proud to be a partner of Cox Charities.”
Cox Enterprises is dedicated to empowering people to build a better future for the next generation. Cox is a leader in the broadband, automotive and media industries, while strategically investing in emerging technologies driving the future of cleantech, health care, and public sector services.
Its major operating subsidiaries are Cox Communications and Cox Automotive, which includes brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cox is a global company with $22 billion in annual revenues and a proud 125-year history. To learn more about Cox and its commitment to its people, planet and communities, visit coxenterprises.com.
