Newport Beach’s First Ocean Friendly Neighborhood

Balboa Peninsula Point is on track to become Newport Beach’s first Ocean Friendly Neighborhood. We’re leading the way on reducing plastic waste, protecting the beaches, harbor and coastline we all share. In partnership with the Surfrider Foundation.

Why this matters

Plastic pollution is a global problem that shows up in our local community. Every minute, a truckload of plastic enters the ocean. There are now at least 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of Texas. If nothing changes, scientists predict more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.

Closer to home: in 2025, Surfrider’s North Orange County chapter pulled over 31,000 pounds of trash off our local beaches. 80% of it was a derivative of single-use plastic.

We live between Newport Harbor and the Pacific. What happens in our neighborhood impacts what ends up on our coastline.

What we’re doing

The Balboa Peninsula Point Association has partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to become Newport Beach’s first  Ocean Friendly Neighborhood. That commitment shows up in three ways:

1. New guidelines for every BPPA event. Single-use plastics are out. Reusable and home compostable alternatives are in. (See the full guidelines.)

2. Quarterly community beach cleanups. Starting with Dirtiest Day on July 5. Open to all residents and friends. (See the full schedule.)

3. Refill stations and ongoing education. Water bottle refill stations are already installed at L Street Park and Bay Beach. More resources and outreach are on the way.

Setting the standard locally

Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Neighborhood program recognizes communities with a long-term commitment to protecting the coastline and BPPA will be the first in Newport Beach. The City hasn’t passed single-use plastic legislation but 170+ other California cities have. We’re not waiting.

Who’s leading it

John Wadsworth is BPPA’s environmental liaison for the OFN initiative. He’s Co-Chair of the Surfrider Foundation’s North Orange County chapter, a member of the City of Newport Beach Water Quality and Coastal Tidelands Committee and a 30+ year Peninsula Point resident.

How you can help

• Bring a reusable bottle, cup and utensils to BPPA events
• Show up to a beach cleanup or pick up trash when you see it
• Talk to your neighbors about it. Word of mouth on the Peninsula moves fast.