Local environmental groups are preparing for International Coastal Cleanup Day. The annual event begins Saturday morning at several dozen sites throughout the Central Coast.
Volunteers will head to 28 sites Saturday for the 31st annual Coastal Cleanup Day.
Mary Ciesinski is the Executive Director of ECOSLO, the group organizing San Luis Obispo County's efforts.
She said the day is important because they are tracking data.
"That's what influences change, is having this data, and showing it not only on a county level, or a state level, but on an international level," said Ciensinski.
She said the data helps to raise awareness of what sorts of items are polluting the shores and to help create policy.
Last year, the top collected items nationally were cigarette butts, food wrappers and plastic bottle caps.
Site captains will have data cards for people to track these items, and buckets, gloves, and some pick up sticks.
People are encouraged to bring their own buckets and reusable gloves.
