California Cleanup Day Draws 50K Volunteers Sept. 19

Across California, 50,000 volunteers are gearing up to protect the state's waterways one piece of trash at a time.

California Coastal Cleanup Day returns September 19, when people from all 58 counties will pick up litter from beaches, rivers, lakes and streams. The effort keeps plastic and debris from washing into the Pacific Ocean or harming wildlife along inland waterways.

Lodi Lake will host one of hundreds of cleanup sites, expecting 150 volunteers to start at 9 a.m. Kathy Grant, the City of Lodi's watershed program coordinator, summed up the spirit perfectly by quoting a friend: "I bend down to pick up trash."

This year's event takes on extra importance as a potentially historic El Niño approaches. The expected heavy rainfall can flush pollution from creeks and streams directly into the ocean, making prevention crucial.

The connection between inland areas and the coast surprises many people. Winter rains carry trash hundreds of miles from places like Lodi, Sacramento and the Eastern Sierra all the way to California's shoreline. That means volunteers cleaning Lodi Lake are directly protecting coastal waters.

Last year's results show the effort works. San Joaquin County volunteers removed more than 5,700 pounds of trash and debris from local sites. In Lodi alone, over 100 people collected 316 pounds of trash and 46 pounds of recyclables.

Organizers reported that several sites looked noticeably cleaner than in past years. "Our waterways and parks are cleaner today thanks to the dedication of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves," said Fritz Buchman, San Joaquin County Public Works Department Director.

The Ripple Effect

Since 1985, nearly 1.9 million volunteers have removed more than 13,770 tons of trash through this program. The most common items include cigarette filters, food wrappers and plastic straws.

The cleanup has grown from a coastal event to a statewide movement. In 2020, organizers expanded it to include self-guided cleanups throughout September, giving more people the chance to participate.

"Year after year, Californians demonstrate their commitment to a clean and healthy coast and ocean," said Kate Huckelbridge, the California Coastal Commission's executive director. The commission is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act this year.

Registration opens now at SJWater.org, with space limited to create a better experience for volunteers who will receive shirts and certificates for their efforts.

One Saturday morning of picking up trash creates cleaner waterways that last all year long.

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