I Love A Clean San Diego will host the 39th annual Coastal Cleanup Day

I Love A Clean San Diego will host the 39th annual Coastal Cleanup Day, bringing together thousands of volunteers at 100 cleanup sites throughout the region
Volunteers can take part in a global cleanup initiative in San Diego on Saturday, September 23. Registration is now open at cleanupday.org

San Diego County (September 1, 2023) International Coastal Cleanup Day returns to San Diego County for its 39th edition on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is the San Diego host for the international coastal cleanup and will be joining many U.S. states, territories, and more than 150 countries across the world. The annual event brings together thousands of San Diegans to preserve the health of over 100 local parks, beaches, creeks, and oceans. Individuals, friends and family, and corporate teams are encouraged to volunteer. Registrations for Coastal Cleanup Day are open at cleanupday.org.

“Witnessing thousands of San Diegans work together on a single day is truly heartening,” said Kristin Banks, Regional Programs Manager at I Love A Clean San Diego. “Last year, we were joined by more than 4,000 residents, and we expect more San Diegans to participate this year!”

I Love A Clean San Diego has served as the official organizer of Coastal Cleanup Day in San Diego County since its founding in 1985. The event has hosted over 272,000 volunteers countywide who have removed over 5.4 million pounds of litter and debris from local communities since its inception. In addition to removing litter, volunteers will compile litter totals from their site to capture the impact in San Diego and contribute to the worldwide total. International Coastal Cleanup is facilitated by The Ocean Conservancy and organized statewide by the California Coastal Commission.

Each year, I Love A Clean San Diego selects an official kickoff site for Coastal Cleanup Day. In an effort to bring awareness and aid in the cross-border ocean pollution, this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day kickoff site will be hosted at YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach. Volunteers at the kickoff site hear from elected officials and can engage with booths from partners like Coastal Cleanup Day Presenting Partner Think Blue San Diego. Think Blue – the City of San Diego’s Stormwater Department – implements innovative, proactive steps to stop pollution before it goes untreated into our storm drain system and has been a long-time supporter of ILACSD’s community cleanups and youth educational programs. Think Blue’s mission is to build and maintain effective stormwater infrastructure to improve local water quality, prevent pollution and create flood-safe communities.

“San Diego is defined by the natural beauty of its beaches and coastal waters, and as pollution continues to threaten San Diego’s quality of life, we must work together to preserve and protect those natural resources for future generations,” said Think Blue Program Manager Craig Gustafson of the City of San Diego’s Stormwater Department. “Collaborative cleanups like this help stop ocean pollution before it starts and show the power of individual and collective action. We can all ‘Think Blue’ by taking simple everyday steps – from properly disposing of trash and pet waste to not overwatering lawns – that help ensure clean water and clean beaches for all.”

Thank you to our Presenting, Gold, Silver, and Bronze 2023 Coastal Cleanup Day Partners

Think Blue San Diego, Northrop Grumman, Bank of America, County of San Diego, Cox Communications, Grifols, Project Clean Water, PNC Bank, SDG&E, Wells Fargo, Watkins Wellness, The Bumble Bee Seafood Company,  22nd District Agricultural Association, PlayStation, Wheelhouse Credit Union, Elevation Church, Illumina, Sempra Infrastructure, Sony Electronics, City of Chula Vista, CFI Commercial Facilities Incorporated, ecoATM, City of Imperial Beach, Mitch’s Seafood, and exclusive radio partner, Audacy.

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.