Results Begin to Come in for 20th Anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup
Over 5,500 registered volunteers of all ages took part in region’s largest environmental cleanup honoring Earth Day.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY (April 23, 2022) – As of 3 p.m. today, I Love A Clean San Diego reports more than 5,500 registered volunteers have removed over 74,000 pounds of litter and debris from streets, canyons, parks and the coastline in communities across San Diego County for the 20th anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup. Results are still coming in from the 75 sites and the many self-led cleanups around San Diego County.
“While we will not have final numbers until early next week, we can safely say volunteers will have helped us meet our goal of 100,000 pounds of litter collected today,” said Ann Marie Sack community programs manager with I Love A Clean San Diego.
Plastic in all its forms remains the chief pollutant found at the annual Earth Week event. More than 60 percent of all the litter removed was a form of plastic. Single-use food wrappers, beverage containers and utensils represented some of the most common forms of plastic litter.
Cigarette butts remain the most littered individual item. This year, over 52,600 have been reported in cleanup totals so far. Many cigarette butts were discovered in gutters where the toxic items flow into San Diego Bay and the ocean. Cigarette butt filters are made of plastic and are full of harmful toxins that pollute the environment when left behind.
Some of the most notable items collected were discarded tires, a keyboard, car batteries, a baby stroller, an Easter bunny suit, and a portable ashtray with the message “do not litter,” printed on the item.
Volunteers included residents, corporate groups, community groups and other regional environmental organizations.
The Creek to Bay Cleanup is one of two annual countywide cleanups produced by I Love A Clean San Diego. The next major cleanup event is International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 17, 2022.
About I Love A Clean San Diego County
Founded in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego County (ILACSD) is an environmental nonprofit on a mission to foster zero waste lifestyles and beautify communities throughout region. ILACSD serves about 90,000 students, adults and businesses every year through environmental education, volunteer cleanup and beautification programs, and recycling and zero waste resources for the public. Annually, the organization hosts approximately 900 workshops and produces 600 community cleanups. Community cleanups are responsible for clearing nearly half a million pounds of pollution from the region annually. ILACSD is dedicated to empowering every person to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living to protect and improve the health of the home we love. Connect with us at CleanSD.org, WasteFreeSD.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, or call 619.291.0103.
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