Every year, on Earth Day, people in Palos Verdes and around the world reflect on the state of our environment, pledging to take actions that help protect our planet. For Eva Cicoria and her nonprofit Paddle Out Plastic, this reflection is an everyday commitment. Since founding the 501c3 organization in June 2019, Cicoria has been leading a grassroots movement aimed at addressing one of the most urgent threats facing our oceans: plastic pollution.
“The fight against plastic pollution is far from over,” says Cicoria. “But the more we show up, the more we bring attention to this crisis, the closer we get to real change.” Paddle Out Plastic’s mission is to engage directly with the waters of Southern California, where the problem is particularly acute, and tackle the issue head-on. They retrieve trash from the water, most of it single-use plastics, raising awareness of the sheer scale of the problem, while working to educate the public and policymakers.
Paddle Out Plastic’s core strategy is to create a tangible connection between local communities and the environment. Their weekly paddles are an open invitation for individuals to join them on the water and see the pollution firsthand. “We believe the more people who are involved, the more it amplifies our collective impact,” says Cicoria.
While the group is committed to cleaning the water, their work extends well beyond paddleboards and kayaks. Cicoria and her team engage with lawmakers to make them aware of the issues with the hope this will lead to legislation that effectively reduces plastic waste and encourages better waste management strategies. They’ve seen recent victories, including a statewide ban on plastic bags and a ban on polystyrene foam, which officially took effect this year in California. Cicoria remains cautiously optimistic, pointing to reports that suggest pressure from the plastic industry could derail the full implementation of these laws. “The fight doesn’t stop with one victory,” she says. “We must stay vigilant and push for better enforcement and expansion of these laws.”
In addition to their policy work, Paddle Out Plastic also places a strong emphasis on community engagement. The group holds regular paddles, inviting residents with their own standup paddleboards and kayaks to participate.
Paddle Out Plastic has seen a growing number of dedicated paddlers, many of whom, like Cicoria’s husband, Ken Swenson, have become regular participants. “Ken retired recently, so he’s been even more involved, paddling weekly and helping out with everything from sorting to organizing,” Cicoria shares.
Laura and Jeff Raab, Peninsula residents who discovered Paddle Out Plastic during the pandemic, also contribute regularly. “They’ve been so consistent in joining us week after week, and Laura even helps us with data collection,” Cicoria adds. “Their involvement is such a vital part of what makes this work.”
Paddle Out Plastic is focused not just on paddling and clean-up, but on shifting the cultural mindset around plastic waste. “We’ve been setting up booths at local events, talking to people about what we’re seeing out there and what they can do to help,” Cicoria explains. “We want to increase our outreach in 2025 and beyond.”
With legislative wins and growing community involvement, the movement is building momentum. Still, there’s much work to do. “As we continue our policy work and outreach, we’re seeing more people understand that they can make a difference,” Cicoria says. “That’s the power of collective action. We can change the course of this pollution problem if we all come together.”
Paddle Out Plastic welcomes anyone with paddling experience to get involved. Paddlers should bring their own kayaks or standup paddle boards and join the weekly paddles. For those interested in joining but who may not be on social media, the group is reachable by email at [email protected]. Stay connected with Paddle Out Plastic through their Facebook (@PaddleOutPlastic), Instagram (@PaddleOutPlastic), and Meetup pages for announcements and upcoming events.
The Numbers Behind Paddle Out Plastic’s Impact
Since its launch, Paddle Out Plastic has removed over 330,000 pieces of plastic from the water.
Here’s a breakdown of what they’ve pulled out:
- 48,000+ food wrappers
- 30,000+ plastic lids, including 17,000+ bottle caps
- 114,000+ pieces of polystyrene foam
- 10,000+ plastic straws
- 10,000+ plastic bottles and jugs
- 12,000+ plastic bags
- 24,000+ hard plastic fragments
- 28,000+ soft plastic film fragments
- 15,000+ product wrappers, including 1,500 cigarillo wrappers and 900 earplug wrappers
- 800 balloons
- 2,000+ toys, including balls
- Hundreds of pieces of fishing gear (lines, bobbers, hooks)
- Clothing, shoes, and miscellaneous debris
These staggering numbers highlight the scale of the plastic waste problem in Southern California’s waterways. Cicoria emphasizes that the problem isn’t just about cleaning up, it’s about changing how society thinks about waste. “Using packaging that lasts hundreds of years for something that lasts minutes is a massive design flaw. We need to move away from single-use plastics in all forms,” she says.
The Plastic Pollution Crisis: By the Numbers
Plastic pollution is one of the most pervasive environmental issues of our time.
The facts speak for themselves:
- 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year.
- By 2050, it’s estimated that there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean (by weight).
- Over 40% of all plastic produced is used for packaging, most of which is single-use.
- Every minute, 1 million plastic bottles are sold around the world.
- The average plastic bag is used for just 12 minutes but takes over 400 years to decompose.
The statistics are a harsh reminder of the urgency needed to confront plastic pollution. It’s time for collective action and groups like Paddle Out Plastic are showing us how small, consistent efforts can lead to significant change.
