The largest single-day environmental cleanup effort in the region will kick off live on social media and mobilize thousands to protect their corner of San Diego County from pollution. PPE expected to be high among litter totals. Free online volunteer registration is now open at CleanupDay.org.
San Diego County CA— The popular countywide environmental protection event is back for its 36th edition on Saturday, September 26, 2020. Produced by I Love A Clean San Diego for the residents of San Diego County, the event has hosted over 970,000 volunteers who have removed over 16 million pounds of litter and debris from communities since its inception in 1985. This year, Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers will participate close to home to safely protect and cleanup streets, parks, canyons and beaches within their own communities. Volunteers can learn more and register for free now at CleanupDay.org.
“No matter where you live in San Diego County, we all live in one of the region’s 11 watersheds, which need our help to protect the inland environment, creeks, bays and ultimately the ocean,” said Len Hering, executive director at I Love A Clean San Diego. “This year, we are not organizing specific sites to avoid large group gatherings. Rather, we encourage residents to help their community close to home with immediate family and friends, and engage with us through social media to show their impact.”
The event is a major part of the International Coastal Cleanup, which is facilitated by The Ocean Conservancy and includes many U.S. states and territories, and over 70 countries. San Diego County volunteers are joining hundreds of thousands of volunteers all over the world in the removal of pollution from our connected ecosystems.
An event-day kickoff will be broadcasted through Facebook Live on I Love A Clean San Diego’s Facebook page to get participants motivated for the day and to share important cleanup tips and safety information. Protecting the coast starts at your front door is I Love A Clean San Diego’s tagline for this year’s countywide cleanup.
Be a citizen scientist and report your cleanup data online to populate the countywide Volunteer Impact Map
All volunteers must register at CleanupDay.org to officially participate and record their cleanup totals so they are counted in the international effort. Once registered, volunteers will be sent a link to a simple survey to report back on their cleanup stats and data, which can be accessed on mobile device or computer. Personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of masks are expected to be high among litter totals.
I Love A Clean San Diego has created a new Volunteer Impact Map. This participatory map allows volunteers countywide to submit their cleanup location and stats, including data on what they find, to create a visual and quantitative measurement of the day’s cleanup efforts. Participants will contribute to real-time, crowd-sourced metrics for the event. Everyone is asked to check-in throughout the day to see the stats and locations expand.
“Last year, nearly 7,000 volunteers cleared over 145,000 pounds of litter and pollution at Coastal Cleanup Day,” said Lauren Short, the event’s program manager. “This year, we are urging volunteers to help put San Diego County on the map by reporting their cleanup data. This data gives us a snapshot of the weights and types of pollution collected so we can share it internationally.”
Coastal Cleanup Day typically runs for three hours 9 a.m. to noon. However, organizers want as many people as possible to spend what time they can in their communities, so volunteers are able to participate anytime during the day.
To help expand the countywide experience, volunteers are encouraged to contribute to the virtual cleanup’s story through Facebook and Instagram with images and video to show themselves in action as they beautify their community. #ILoveACleanSD @ILoveACleanSD #ProtectYourHappyPlace #CCD2020
Did you know?
The most prevalent pollutants collected at Coastal Cleanup Day are discarded cigarette butts, which are really plastic, and plastic pieces of all types and sizes. These items pollute the planet forever. Volunteers at past events have also collected, easy chairs, tires, mattresses, refrigerator’s, bike frames, golf clubs, oil and other items that should not be discarded in the natural environment.
Supporting partners of Coastal Cleanup Day
Think Blue, County of San Diego and its Watershed Protection Program, Project Clean Water, COX Communications, SDG&E, Wells Fargo, Tegna and CBS News 8, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Bank of America, Qualcomm Foundation, Northrop Grumman, City of Imperial Beach, City of Carlsbad, City of La Mesa, City of Poway, San Diego Regional Airport Authority, Ocean Conservancy and California Coastal Commission.
About Coastal Cleanup Day
I Love A Clean San Diego has been the official organizer of Coastal Cleanup Day in San Diego County since it was founded in 1985. The event is a major part of International Coastal Cleanup, which is facilitated by The Ocean Conservancy and includes many U.S. states and territories, and over 70 countries. Within California, Coastal Cleanup Day is a partnership between the California Coastal Commission, nonprofit groups, cities and counties throughout the state. San Diego County Volunteers are joining hundreds of thousands of volunteers all over the world in the removal of pollution from our connected ecosystems.
About I Love A Clean San Diego
Founded in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County through youth and adult education, and local action through impactful volunteer events and workshops. As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love A Clean San Diego’s programs are an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action to empower everyone to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living. Our community is passion in action to maintain and improve the health of the home we love. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn