SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Did you know that 80% of all pollution in the ocean begins inland? When litter enters our local watersheds, it flows into the Pacific Ocean and becomes a threat to the health of wildlife and residents. That’s why CBS 8 joined forces with I Love a Clean San Diego for the Creek to Bay Cleanup, which was held Saturday, April 20, 2024.
During the 22nd Annual Creek to Bay Clean Up about 5,000 volunteers picked up litter and debris at more than 100 sites across the county.
To learn more, go to cleansd.org/creektobay
2023 Creek to Bay Cleanup recap
"So many cigarette butts, that’s crazy!" said Jess Culpepper, who was with her son while picking up litter in San Diego.
They joined more than 5,000 volunteers in April 2023 who were also picking up trash at over 100 sites across San Diego County, including Southcrest Community Park, for the 21st annual Creek to Bay Clean Up event.
Volunteers collected more than 57,269 pounds of litter and debris in the hopes that their efforts would create a cleaner environment.
The non-profit I Love A Clean San Diego put the event together.
CBS 8 was a proud partner in 2023 and supporter of the event. CBS 8's own Shawn Styles and Evan Noorani emceed the kickoff.
2022 Creek to Bay Cleanup recap
April 23, 2022 marked the 20th anniversary of the Creek to Bay Clean-Up. The non-profit, I Love a Clean San Diego, mobilized 5,000 volunteers in 75 sites from the border to Oceanside.
While you would think the bulk of the clean-ups would take place near the beach, the event kicked off in Gompers Park in East San Diego.
"We see litter on the beach, we immediately think action. But unfortunately, all that litter on the beach typically comes from the inland areas," says Steve Morris of I Love a Clean San Diego, "It flows down from the creeks, into the storm drains, out to the rivers."
The 5,000 volunteers helped removed over 74,000 pounds of litter and debris from streets, canyons, parks and the coastline in communities from 75 sites around San Diego County.
Remarkable Stats from 2022 event:
- Over 3,700 pounds of recycling
- Over 56,000 pounds of trash
- Over 13,000 pounds of green waste.
- Over 51,000 cigarette butts and e-cigarettes
- 501 Thank Yous to volunteers
2021 Creek to Bay Cleanup recap
During the 2021 event, there were more than 180 individual clean-ups that happened throughout San Diego County.
2020 Virtual Creek to Bay Cleanup recap
The 18th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup was a little different in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
2019 Creek to Bay Cleanup recap
San Diego celebrated Earth Week as Earth 8 and CBS 8’s Heather Myers teamed up for I Love a Clean San Diego’s 15th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup on Saturday, April 27, 2019. More than 6000+ volunteers collected 120,000 pounds of trash and debris restoring 114 sites countywide.
Here are some photos from the event.
