FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Becca Kuntz
619-704-2781
bkuntz@cleansd.org
Over 100 Sites Countywide Will Be Cleaned Up at 33rd Annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 16
SAN DIEGO COUNTY – On Saturday, September 16, 2017, from 9 AM – 12:00 PM, an estimated 7,500 volunteers will participate at more than 100 sites across San Diego County as part of the 33rd Annual Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD) hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD). ILACSD has coordinated this event locally for 31 years and successfully mobilizes thousands of volunteers, while also supporting cleanup efforts in Tijuana. Volunteers of all ages and ability levels are encouraged to sign up for a site in their neighborhood and help leave a lasting impact on the whole region. The media is invited to join ILACSD staff, event sponsors, and elected officials at the kickoff site at Golden Hill Park where volunteers will help with service projects at the park and the Recreation Center, including a mural project and mulching. For more information about sites and volunteer registration, please visit www.CleanupDay.org.
While CCD is best known for its beach cleanup sites, ILACSD focuses the majority of its efforts along inland waterways and canyons where 80% of marine debris starts. Last year alone, CCD volunteers removed over 92 tons of trash and recyclables from local watersheds that otherwise would have polluted San Diego’s beloved coastline and the Pacific Ocean. In addition to trash removal, volunteers will also beautify San Diego County by removing graffiti, planting native species, building trails, and restoring habitats.
ILACSD invites volunteers to take waste reduction into their own hands by pledging to “Bring Your Own” reusable items when they registering at www.CleanupDay.org. 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. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated buckets entered into this year’s Bling Your Bucket contest.
Utilizing the Clean Swell app is another option for volunteers to help cut back on waste produced at this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day. Volunteers are encouraged to download the Clean Swell app to replace paper data cards to track the debris collected at this event. The app is free and available to download for both iOS and Android.
Sony Electronics has returned to sponsor this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day Photo Contest where volunteers have the opportunity to win a Sony Point & Shoot Camera. Volunteers are encouraged to submit a photo of their Coastal Cleanup Day experience that best fits the theme, Create Your Litter-Free SD. Photos for the Bling your Bucket and Sony Photo Contests may be submitted to iloveacleansd@gmail.com.
Top tier sponsors for Coastal Cleanup Day include the County of San Diego, Think Blue San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), CBS 8, CW San Diego, and California Coastal Commission. Several sponsors plan to mobilize employee volunteers and their families at cleanup sites across the county including SDG&E which has accounted for 8,000 corporate volunteers over the last 16 years. Republic Services will also be out in force to provide sizeable hauling support. Please visit www.CleanUpDay.org for more details.
About I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) As San Diego’s most influential sustainability advocate, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering all to improve the health and beauty of our local environment. For over sixty years, we’ve brought the best in all of us together for a lasting, positive impact on our region. We are passion in action. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit www.CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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