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Results begin to come in for 20th Anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup

Over 5,500 registered volunteers of all ages took part in region’s largest environmental cleanup honoring Earth Day

SAN DIEGO COUNTY – As of 3 p.m. Saturday, I Love A Clean San Diego reported more than 5,500 registered volunteers had removed over 74,000 pounds of litter and debris from streets, canyons, parks and the coastline in communities across San Diego County for the 20th anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup. Results are still coming in from the 75 sites and the many self-led cleanups around San Diego County.

“While we will not have final numbers until early next week, we can safely say volunteers will have helped us meet our goal of 100,000 pounds of litter collected today,” said Ann Marie Sack, community programs manager with I Love A Clean San Diego.

Plastic in all its forms remains the chief pollutant found at the annual Earth Week event. More than 60% of all the litter removed was a form of plastic. Single-use food wrappers, beverage containers and utensils represented some of the most common forms of plastic litter.

Cigarette butts remain the most littered individual item. This year, over 52,600 have been reported in cleanup totals so far. Many cigarette butts were discovered in gutters where the toxic items flow into San Diego Bay and the ocean. Cigarette butt filters are made of plastic and are full of harmful toxins that pollute the environment when left behind.

Some of the most notable items collected were discarded tires, a keyboard, car batteries, a baby stroller, an Easter bunny suit, and a portable ashtray with the message “do not litter,” printed on the item.

Volunteers included residents, corporate groups, community groups and other regional environmental organizations.

The Creek to Bay Cleanup is one of two annual countywide cleanups produced by I Love A Clean San Diego. The next major cleanup event is International Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 17.

Submitted by I Love A Clean San Diego.

 

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