Preliminary Results for I Love A Clean San Diego’s 39th Annual International Coastal Cleanup Day

Preliminary Results for I Love A Clean San Diego’s 39th Annual International Coastal Cleanup Day

SAN DIEGO COUNTY (Sept. 23, 2023) – This morning, more than 5,000 San Diegans joined I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) for the 39th annual Coastal Cleanup Day. Volunteers across the region restored, beautified, and preserved the health of over 100 local parks, canyons, creeks, and beaches and joined volunteers in 150 countries across the globe. As of 2:30 p.m. and with 85% of sites reporting totals, over 76,800 pounds of litter and debris was diverted from San Diego communities. Final cleanup totals to come in the following days.

“We are incredibly proud of the San Diego community today,” said the event’s director Ann Marie Sack. “With the addition of today’s preliminary results, over 277,000 San Diegans have been part of Coastal Cleanup Day.”

Residents across the county have removed over 5.4 million pounds of litter and debris from local communities since Coastal Cleanup Day’s inception in 1985.

Councilmember Joe LaCava presented ILACSD with a San Diego City Council Proclamation at Torrey Pines State Beach in La Jolla, celebrating 39 years of Coastal Cleanup Day. “I Love A Clean San Diego diverts millions of pounds of litter from our ocean and beaches,” said Councilmember Joe LaCava, Chair of the City of San Diego Environment Committee. “Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day and other ILACSD events is an easy way to help protect our precious ecosystems and a visual reminder of the impacts of plastic pollution.” Many elected officials helped kick off Coastal Cleanup Day at a site within their district, including Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, Assemblymember Chris Ward, and Councilmember Jennifer Campbell.

Hundreds of residents volunteered at the Coastal Cleanup Day kickoff site at YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach. The site in Imperial Beach was selected to bring awareness and aid in cross-border ocean pollution. “I am so grateful for the positive impact that I Love A Clean San Diego and residents made today in Imperial Beach,” said City of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre. “Volunteers removed litter and microplastics from our beaches, protecting our ocean from further pollution.”

In addition to removing litter, volunteers will compile litter totals from their cleanup site to capture the impact in San Diego County and contribute to this year’s worldwide total.

I Love A Clean San Diego invites residents to the Fall Social, the organization’s largest celebration of environmentalism in our community, on Thursday, October 12, at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa. Early bird tickets are available for purchase until September 30. Proceeds from the event support ILACSD’s environmental education, community, and recycling programs that benefit all of San Diego County.

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.