Living in San Diego comes with the added benefit of being able to enjoy the scenic view, incredible nature, and picturesque coastline. However, tied to that benefit is a communal responsibility to protect our incredible surroundings so that they may remain clean, safe and enjoyable for everyone.

On September 16^th, 2017, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, San Diegans have the opportunity to do just that as I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD)hosts its 33^rd Annual Coastal Cleanup Day. With over 100 cleanup sites throughout the county, the event offers the opportunity for volunteers to help preserve San Diego County’s environment through cleanup sites and beautification projects. 

California Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD) is a statewide beach, coastal, and inland waterway cleanup held throughout California each year, as part of the largest such cleanup in the country. CCD is a partnership between the California Coastal Commission, non-profit groups such as ILACSD and other non-profits, and cities and counties throughout the state. It 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. 

ILACSD invites volunteers to take waste reduction into their own hands by taking the Bring Your Own pledge when they register at on the event website. Each volunteer who brings a reusable water bottle, work gloves, and/or a bucket to collect litter significantly reduces the need for single-use bags and disposable gloves. As an incentive, prizes will be awarded to the best decorated buckets entered into this year’s “Bling Your Bucket” competition. Volunteers can also cut down on waste at this year’s CCD by going mobile with data collection by downloading the Clean Swell App instead of using paper data cards.   

Sony Electronics has returned to sponsor this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day Photo Contest where volunteers have the opportunity to win a Sony point and shoot camera. Volunteers are encouraged to submit a photo of their Coastal Cleanup Day experience that best exemplifies the theme, Create Your Litter-Free SD. The guidelines and rules for submitting photos for the Bling your Bucket and Sony Photo Contest can be found at CleanupDay.org.

In 2016, over 7,500 dedicated San Diegans across the County explored and beautified beaches, canyons, creeks, and parks and worked to remove over 150,000 pounds of debris! Now is the time to step up and make an even bigger impact for San Diego communities in 2017, so mark your calendars... Registration opens on August 8^th.