CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Residents Association, CdM Chamber Hope to Revive ZeroTrash Campaign

Corona del Mar leaders have convinced ZeroTrash to try to save the trash cleanup program in the village, possibly recruiting volunteers at the Dec. 4 Christmas Walk.

“I am working to be at the Christmas event, or have a volunteer hand out materials,” Chip McDermott confirmed in an email.

Members of the Corona del Mar Residents Association and the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce reached out to McDermott after hearing that the ZeroTrash group was leaving Corona del Mar because of a lack of interest. The group first began Corona del Mar cleanups in June, gathering at El Ranchito on the first Saturday of each month before going into the community to pick up trash. But volunteers never materialized; read our story here.

Karen Tringali, president of the CdMRA, asked the board at its November meeting if members would approve reaching out to Laguna Beach-based ZeroTrash to ask if they would share a booth at the Christmas Walk to try to recruit volunteers.

“There seems to be some momentum in the community,” Tringali said, referring to a recent neighborhood trash pickup effort in the Cameo communities. “I’d like to invite ZeroTrash to pass out information at our table at the Christmas Walk.”

The Corona del Mar Christmas Walk is sponsored by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Linda Leonhard has said the chamber also supports ZeroTrash’s efforts and would promote volunteer opportunities among chamber members.

Other CdMRA board members suggested that high school students be notified that they could earn community service hours for helping with ZeroTrash cleanups.

McDermott said that ZeroTrash in Corona del Mar needs “a passionate CdM resident to want to be chapter captain.” Two or three people could serve as co-captains, he said, leading the first Saturday efforts.

ZeroTrash continues to operate on the Balboa Peninsula.