Skip to content

Creek to Bay Cleanup

Celebrating 70 years in 2024, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County. ILACSD was founded in 1954 as the San Diego War Against Litter Committee (WALC). In the 1970s, “I Love A Clean San Diego” became the slogan for the organization’s anti-litter campaign, and in 1980, it became the organization’s name. Over the last seven decades, ILACSD has evolved into the nonprofit it is today, providing programs that go far beyond litter cleanups and serve as environmental catalysts. Our programs inspire and empower San Diegans to be environmental and waste-free living leaders in their communities.

Inspiring residents, students, and businesses to become environmental stewards through our environmental education programs. Learn more about our education efforts and learning opportunities.

Providing opportunities for individuals, groups, and businesses to make a tangible impact on our environment. Learn more about our environmental efforts, resources, and volunteer opportunities.

Your donations support our work in preserving and beautifying our region for future generations.

Take Environmental Action

Upcoming Events

April 20, Saturday

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

22nd Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup Day

Join I Love A Clean San Diego to be a part of the largest Earth Week cleanup in all of…

April 25, Thursday

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Simple Swaps: Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic Webinar

Did you know that we produce almost 400 million tons of plastic each year across the globe?   Join I…

May 7, Tuesday

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Organic Waste Recycling Webinar

The City of San Diego’s curbside organic waste recycling program is here! Join us on Tuesday, May 7, at 1…

May 8, Wednesday

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Volunteer to Support Us at Our Office!

Have you wondered how you could get more involved? We are growing and need your help so we can all…

May 8, Wednesday

12:30 pm to 1:00 pm

Volunteer to Support us at Cleanups!

We are leading more cleanups than ever, and we want your help to ensure they run smoothly. Rather than attending…

May 9, Thursday

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Sunset Sweep: Radio Canyon - Emerald Hills Park

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego for a litter cleanup! We will divert…

You're Invited to our Spring Social

Celebrate I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego community’s accomplishments across the region at our Spring Social event. Get a first taste of Duck Foot’s “I Love A Clean IPA” brew, mingle with like-minded individuals, and celebrate the work we all do throughout the region.

Thursday May 23 at Duck Foot Brewing

Beautifying San Diego Since 1954

Annual Events

Donate today!

Become a Part of the solution Receive the latest recycling news and events updates in the communityEmail AddressLast NameFirst NameSubscribeConnect with usHave questions? We’re here to help619.291.0103Address2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 150San Diego, Ca 92106Invest in a CLEAN San Diego for future generationsDonate TodayEvery dollar you give in March and April will be matched by the Charles and Gail Kendall Family Fund at the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation -- up to $25,000. During this campaign, your contribution will go twice as far to educate San Diego’s youth and energize volunteer cleanup effortsUpcoming EventsRiver Kids Discovery Days9:00am - 1:00pmFoundation (SDRPF) for aCleanup of the San Diego Riveras part of SDRPFs River KidsDiscovery Days event!more detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery Days9:00am - 1:00pmOn March 12th from 9am-12pmjoin I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkFoundation (SDRPF) for acleanup of the San Diego Riveras part of SDRPFs River KidsDiscovery Days event!RegisterRiver Kids Discovery Days9:00am - 1:00pmOn March 12th from 9am-12pmjoin I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkFoundation (SDRPF) for acleanup of the San Diego Riveras part of SDRPFs River KidsDiscovery Days event!RegisterStay in Touch2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Ste 150San Diego, CA 92106» DirectionsP: 619.291.0103 | F: 619.298.1314Alternative SectionOur MissionThrough outreach, community involvement and example, I LoveA Clean San Diego leads and educates our community to activelyconserve and enhance the environment.Keep San Diego CleanDonateDonateVolunteerEducationalFirst NameLast NameEmailSubscribeBecome a part of the solutionReceive the latest recycling news and events updates in the community.We are Making a DifferenceILACSD removes nearly half amillion pounds of debris fromSan Diegos beaches, canyonsand neighborhoods eachyear.NewsArticle TitleMarch 1, 2016Article TitleMarch 1, 2016view allMarch 1, 2016Article TitleArticle TitleMarch 1, 2016Article TitleArticle TitleMarch 1, 2016Article TitleMarch 1, 2016March 1, 2016Upcoming Events17marchRiver Kids Discovery Days9:00am - 1:00pmOn March 12th from 9am-12pmjoin I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkFoundation (SDRPF) for acleanup of the San Diego Riveras part of SDRPFs River KidsDiscovery Days event!more detailsRegister17marchRiver Kids Discovery Days9:00am - 1:00pmOn March 12th from 9am-12pmjoin I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkFoundation (SDRPF) for acleanup of the San Diego Riveras part of SDRPFs River KidsDiscovery Days event!more detailsRegister17marchRiver Kids Discovery Days9:00am - 1:00pmOn March 12th from 9am-12pmjoin I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkFoundation (SDRPF) for acleanup of the San Diego Riveras part of SDRPFs River KidsDiscovery Days event!more detailsRegisterDonor SpotlightThis month, we’d like to highlight Chuck and GailKendall of Rancho Santa Fe! Earlier this year, theychose ILACSD as the recipient of a $25,000 grantthrough their Family Donor Advised Fund at theRancho Santa Fe Foundation. To further build upontheir generosity, ILACSD has launched its firstMatching Campaign! Every donation given in March& April will be matched by this grant! Give a gifttoday that will go twice as far to connect youth withnature and inspire thousands of lifelong environmen-tal stewards.Become a DonorEducating andInspiring Change?About UsVolunteerEducationRecyclingNewsSupport UsVolunteerEducationRecyclingSupport UsResourcesContact UsAbout UsNewsContact UsDonateILACSD povides environmental education presentations in schools countywide. Contact us to schedule a presentation today!Learn MoreThank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environme-tal catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering everyone to improve the health and beauty of our local environment. For over sixty years, we’ve brought the best in all of us together for a lasting, positive impact on our region. We are passion in action.ILACSD's Community Events Department coordinates monthly cleanup events both on the coast as well as in local creek beds, canyons, open space parks and everywhere in between. Volunteers see first-hand how trash makes its way from inland communities all the way to the coast through San Diego County's vast watershed system.Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.River Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterUpcoming EventsOur MissionAs San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environme-tal catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering everyone to improve the health and beauty of our local environment. For over sixty years, we’ve brought the best in all of us together for a lasting, positive impact on our region. We are passion in action.Our BackgroundWays to Get InvolvedLatest News17March,17March,17March,17March,DONATEVOLUNTEEREDUCATIONThank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volun-teers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volun-teers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volun-teers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.DonateVolunteerEducationOur Team Board of Directors Career OpportunitiesDonateLearn more about I Love a Clean San DiegoThank you to all of our Creek to Bay 2016 volunteers!Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs. of litter....Read MoreRead MoreRead MoreRead MoreRiver Kids Discovery Daysmore detailsMarch,On March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkThis month, we’d like to recognize Harrah’s Resort Southern California for their support of I Love A Clean San Diego’s volunteer programs and events. As a longtime supporter of our countywide cleanups, Harrah’s leads volunteer efforts at Buccaneer Beach in Oceanside and at Lake Wohlford with ILACSD each spring and fall. They also selected ILACSD to be the recipient of their charity slot tournament in April, which worked out great with the timing of ILACSD’s first ever matching campaign. Thanks for all that you do for the community, Harrah’s! Learn more about our partnersRead MoreDonor SpotlightHarrah’s Resort Southern California “Quote from the featured donor goes here about working with I Love A Clean San Diego” -Name of featured donorHelp keep San Diego CleanDonate TodayI Love A Clean San Diego has launched an exciting new Matching Campaign! Any dollar you give in March and April will be matched by the Charles and Gail Kendall Family Fund at the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation - up to $25,000. During this campaign, your contribution will go twice as far to educate San Diego’s youth and energize volunteer cleanup efforts. Give a gift that is meaningful to you and double your impact today! All gifts are tax-deductible.SubscribeBecome a Part of the solution Receive the latest recycling news and events updates in the communityEmail AddressLast NameFirst NameSubscribeConnect with usHave questions? We’re here to help619.291.0103Address2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 150San Diego, Ca 92106We Are Making a DifferenceCoordinating two countywide cleanups each year, the Creek to Bay Cleanup in April and Coastal Cleanup Day in September, where more than 14,000 volunteers remove approximately 340,000 lbs. of debris combined.Coordinating two countywide cleanups each year, the Creek to Bay Cleanup in April and Coastal Cleanup Day in September, where more than 14,000 volunteers remove approximately 340,000 lbs. of debris combined. Title for Section and IconAbout USDonateEducating and Inspiring ChangeClean CommiteeJoin The Clean CommiteeEvents CalendarSite CaptsThank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.River Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterRiver Kids Discovery DaysOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Parkmore detailsRegisterUpcoming Events17March,17March,17March,17March,Events CalendarThis month, we’d like to recognize Harrah’s Resort Southern California for their support of I Love A Clean San Diego’s volunteer programs and events. As a longtime supporter of our countywide cleanups, Harrah’s leads volunteer efforts at Buccaneer Beach in Oceanside and at Lake Wohlford with ILACSD each spring and fall. They also selected ILACSD to be the recipient of their charity slot tournament in April, which worked out great with the timing of ILACSD’s first ever matching campaign. Thanks for all that you do for the community, Harrah’s! Learn more about our partnersVolunteer SpotlightName og Volunteer Goes here “Quote from the featured Volunteer goes here about working with I Love A Clean San Diego” -Name of featured VolunteerSign Up TodayBecome a Part of the solution Receive the latest recycling news and events updates in the communityEmail AddressLast NameFirst NameSubscribeConnect with usHave questions? We’re here to help619.291.0103Address2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 150San Diego, Ca 92106Become a Part of the solution Receive the latest recycling news and events updates in the communityEmail AddressLast NameFirst NameSubscribeConnect with usHave questions? We’re here to help619.291.0103Address2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 150San Diego, Ca 92106DonateSupport UsBecome a Part of the solution Receive the latest recycling news and events updates in the communityEmail AddressLast NameFirst NameSubscribeConnect with usHave questions? We’re here to help619.291.0103Address2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 150San Diego, Ca 92106Featured ArticleAccomplishment SlideshowOther Ways to DonateSlide #1Slide #2Slide #3Slide #4Thank you to all of our Creek to Bay 2016 volunteers!Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs. of litter....Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to....Read MoreOn March 12th from 9am-12pm join I Love A Clean San Diegoand the San Diego River ParkRead MoreAs San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environme-tal catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering everyone to improve the health and beauty of our local environment. For over sixty years, we’ve brought the best in all of us together for a lasting, positive impact on our region. We are passion in action.Lucas ipsum dolor sit amet amidala sith ventress hutt boba ahsoka skywalker binks darth skywalker. Darth organa leia mustafar solo. Tatooine hutt skywalker biggs organa obi-wan padmé amie sidious solo jango organa. JOther Ways to DonateDownload and complete the Donation FormI Love A Clean San DiegoEmployer Matching GiftsDoes your employer match donations? If you're not sure you can ask yourAmazon Smile allows ILACSD supporters to give back without breaking the bank! Purchase your holiday gifts or every day items on Amazon Smile and 0.5% of your purchase will go directly back to our pollution prevention programs - it's that easy! Simply click here to get started! 1.Go to smile.amazon.com 2.When prompted to select your favorite charity, type in "I Love a Clean San Diego"3.Start shopping!Employer Matching Gifts Does your employer match donations? If you’re not sure you can ask your Human Resources department or contact us and we’d be happy to help you figure it out. Matching gifts are an easy way to make your donation go evenEmployer Matching GiftsDoes your employer match donations? If you're not sure you can ask yourHuman Resources department or contact us and we'd be happy to help youDonateecoBLOGicAbout UsVolunteerEducationRecyclingNewsSupport UsResourcesContact UsDonateThis Is TheLatestPost TitleThis Is The Latest Post TitleEducationIlacsd | may 12, 2016 | EducationPost TitleEducationEducationEducationEducationWhat is zero waste? First, letsdefine what zero waste is tobetter understand how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities. how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities.Read MorePost TitleWhat is zero waste? First, letsdefine what zero waste is tobetter understand how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities. how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities.Read MorePost TitleWhat is zero waste? First, letsdefine what zero waste is tobetter understand how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities. how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities.Read MorePost TitleWhat is zero waste? First, letsdefine what zero waste is tobetter understand how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities. how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities.Read MorePost TitleWhat is zero waste? First, letsdefine what zero waste is tobetter understand how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities. how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities.Read MorePost TitleWhat is zero waste? First, letsdefine what zero waste is tobetter understand how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities. how itaffects you and what it meansfor our communities.Read MoreEducationEducationEducationFilter By: Education Events ILACSD News Recycling Voliunteer Zero WasteSee MoreAbout UsGet involved!Keep San Diego CleanPrograms Upcoming Events InternshipsEvents CalendarSponsor a Program Store Events Our DonorsPress Release newsletter ecoBLOGicVolunteer Education Recycling About Support News ContactVolunteer Education Recycling About Support News ContactVolunteer Education Recycling About Support News ContactVolunteer Education Recycling About Support News ContactVolunteer Education Recycling About Support News Contact2015 Annual Report2015 Financials990Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volunteers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.Ways to Get InvolvedThank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volun-teers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volun-teers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and site captains! We are still crunching some numbers but we know that more than 6,000 volun-teers came out to our 110 sites and successfully removed 150,000 lbs.DonateVolunteerEducationLearn more about I Love a Clean San DiegoRead MoreRead MoreRead MoreWhy Support I Love A Clean San Diego?Our organization’s efforts have a major impact on the San Diego community. Here are some of our accomplishments in 2014:WasteFreeSD.org: Our one of a kind hotline and database, WasteFreeSD.org fielded close to 14,000 requests for recycling information. Without this vital resource, residents would be left with nowhere to turn for recycling and proper disposal of hazardous items. This diverts countless amounts of waste from San Diego’s landfills, and prevents illegal dumping in our communities. Community Cleanups: We coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers last year to remove nearly 500,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from San Diego’s beaches, waterways, canyons, and parks. This debris is a threat to public health, wildlife, and the natural ecosystems in San Diego. Environmental Education: We empowered over 31,000 youth and adults in San Diego to make a positive impact on their environment. We know that youth hold the key to the environmental future of our community and our planet. Education provides inspiration to change their behaviors, helping minimize our community’s ecological footprint.

$1 invested with us equals $7 return in local community benefit!
Thank You!

From Our Blog

Latest News

Spring Cleaning: Tips To Declutter & Refresh Your Home This Season

Spring is here! There is no better time for some spring cleaning! Decluttering your home of unwanted items, thoroughly cleaning room to room, wiping the dirt off every nook and
Read More

Christmas Tree Recycling Guide 2023- DROP OFF LOCATIONS

The holiday season is here! Dropping off your Christmas tree at a collection site is a great way to help divert your Christmas tree from the landfill following the holiday
Read More

Christmas Tree Recycling Guide 2023 – CURBSIDE HAULING

The holiday season is here! Many communities in San Diego County have options for Christmas tree recycling at your curbside collection and is a great way to help divert your
Read More

A Healthier San Diego for All

Thank You to Our Partners