Locals team up to clean up July 4 litter left on beaches

Rich Ivan, director of operations for Zoom Electric Ultimate Sports, said having lived in Sarasota since 2000, he has seen the amount of trash that can be left behind on the beaches after Fourth of July weekend.

However, he didn't represent the only business concerned about the issue; as a salesperson for AT&T, he was able to rope in the telecommunications company, involving three to four local stores in a July 6 cleanup on Siesta Key Beach.

While the issue of beach litter is also being addressed by groups like Keep Sarasota County Beautiful, Ivan hoped that Zoom Electric Ultimate Sports, an electric sports vehicle shop and rental provider, could offer its own touch to the efforts.

Ivan will be deploying the resources of the store, with its electric tricycles being used to help move the burlap trash bags, which will be provided by the city of Sarasota, across the beach.

With staff, friends, family and AT&T staff included, he currently expects a turnout of 30, but welcomes others who wish to attend.

“The more people show up, the better,” he said.

Ivan hopes to entice participants with the possibility of a free experience on some of the store's other rental equipment including electric hydrofoils, eFoil electric surfboards and SEABOB underwater diving scooters, which will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“We just wanted to do something that reflects both the business values, and how much we care about the area,” Ivan said. “We have fun stuff to do in a beautiful place, and we just want to keep it beautiful, and keep it fun.”

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the date of the cleanup to July 6 and the spelling of Rich Ivan