There will be no overflowing trash barrels on Onset beaches this summer -- because there will be no barrels on Onset beaches.

Town officials are hoping to eliminate a growing trash problem by instituting a "carry in, carry out" policy that will require beach-goers to take any garbage with them after they're done enjoying the beaches.

Littering penalties of up to $500 may be issued to those who violate the new policy. Signs will be put up soon to alert locals and tourists to the change.

Beach cleaning was eliminated from next year's cash-strapped town budget, which begins July 1. That, along with trash issues in recent weeks, precipitated the new policy.

"Every weekend that we do the beach cleaning, it's overtime and double-time on Sunday," which adds up to about $2,000 every weekend, said Town Administrator Derek Sullivan. "You're probably looking at $22,000 to $25,000 a year."

Additionally, during warm weekends this spring and summer, trash has been deposited in barrels faster than town workers can keep up with it.

Sullivan said that people's tendency to use the barrel closest to them -- whether it's stuffed or not -- exacerbates the problem.

"You also have the people around the trash cans who, when [the barrel is] full, rather than walking to the next one will just pile it on top."

Overflowing barrels attract pests such as raccoons and skunks, which pick apart the garbage to look for food. The trash is then blown around by the wind, causing a mess..

Sullivan said that the "carry in, carry out" practice has been becoming more common over the years.

"Rhode Island state beaches have had that at least since the '90s," he said.

Once people get used to the new policy, Sullivan is optimistic that it'll be embraced by residents.

"We're no different than other communities. We care about our community and when it comes down to it I think we'd rather deposit [trash] at home" than see it all over the beaches.