Litter Reduction

Why is Litter a Problem? Trash and litter accumulate in San Francisco Bay Area waterways, including creeks, wetlands, beaches, and the Bay itself, threatening aquatic habitat and recreational "Beneficial Uses" designated by the State of California. For example, wildlife may be harmed by becoming entangled in or ingesting trash, and human health concerns include discarded medical waste, broken glass, and animal and human wastes.

At the recommendation of the San Francisco Bay Regional WaterQuality Control Board all Bay Area urban creeks, lakes and shorelines were placed on the State Water Resources Control Board 2002 "Monitoring List" due to the potential for trash to impair water quality.

In response, the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP) initiated a multifaceted program to begin identifying and cleaning up trash in urban waterways in San Mateo County; including municipal trash management, monitoring and assessment, community outreach and trash cleanups.
Report: "Tackling Trash in San Mateo County's Urban Waterways"

Save the Date for the largest cleanup event in San Mateo County and join thousands of volunteers in keeping our local beaches and watersheds free of debris on the
3rd Saturday in September!

Results of 24th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day held Saturday, September 20th, 2008 from 9am to noon:
3,802 Volunteers
35,432 lbs of trash
6,052 lbs of recyclables
83 miles of shoreline cleaned
Event Pictures

Winners of the 1st Annual CCD Drawing Contest can be found throughout our website.
Thank you to everyone that participated!

What is Coastal Clean-up Day?
Join thousands of San Mateo County residents in the state’s largest volunteer event focused on protecting the marine environment. Each year, San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP) and the California Coastal Commission partner to coordinate Coastal Cleanup Day in an effort to engage people to remove debris from the bay and inland waterways; identify the sources of debris; and ultimately change the behaviors that cause pollution.

Since the program started in 1985, nearly 700,000 Californians have removed more than 10 million pounds of debris from our state's shorelines and coast. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by The Ocean Conservancy that takes place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events of the year.

To learn more about how you can volunteer and help protect and restore our environment, please contact Ana Clayton at (650) 372-6214 or at pollutionprevention@co.sanmateo.ca.us.
Coastal Cleanup Day has a My Space page: www.myspace.com/coastalcleanupday

How can you participate in 2009?

1. Select a location from the 2009 list (available August 2009) and review directions and instructions on the cleaning site.
Recruit your family, friends, and coworkers. * Groups of 10 or more please call to register ahead of the event to ensure that the location is best for your group size.

2. Go to the site and check in.
Bring or wear sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, a hat and gloves (disposable gloves are provided). When you check in at the cleanup location, a site captain will give you a special data card to tally the items you collect.

3. Collect data and pick up trash.
Your data goes into The Ocean Conservancy's international database, which is used to identify the sources of debris and to help devise solutions to the marine debris problem.

2008 Event Pictures: Coastside Cleanup Sites:

BubbleShare: Share photos - Craft Ideas

2008 Event Pictures: Inland and Bayside Cleanup Sites:

BubbleShare: Share photos - Craft Kits

2008Flyer

9-4-08 Press Release

9-11-08 Press Release

California's "Top Ten" Debris Items
1985-2006	Totals
1. Cigarettes/Cigarette Filters	4,281,104
2. Caps, Lids	954,882
3. Food Wrappers and Containers	947,218
4. Plastic Bags	846,320
5. Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, Spoons	706,531
6. Straws/Stirrers	455,796
7. Glass Beverage Bottles	367,448
8. Plastic Beverage Bottles	306,067
9. Beverage Cans	274,608
10. Building Materials	234,954

California Stormwater Quality Association Award for Outstanding Stormwater News, Information, Outreach and Media

CASQA presented its 2007 stormwater awards at its 3rd Annual Stormwater Conference awards luncheon Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa. The CASQA awards program identifies and recognizes exemplary leadership, outstanding projects, activities and contributors in the field of stormwater quality management."These projects embody the California Stormwater Quality Association's goals to advance stormwater quality management, science and regulation. We are recognizing these projects because of their success, innovation and dedication to the improvement of stormwater quality in California," said Jeff Endicott, member of the Board of Directors and Awards Committee Chair.

The Outstanding Stormwater News, Information, Outreach and Media Award was presented to San Mateo County Water Pollution Prevention Program for Coastal Cleanup Day 2006. SMCWPPP implemented a community outreach plan in which it educated residents about disposable plastic bag consumption and its effects, and distributed 3,000 reusable shopping bags. SMCWPPP also used this outreach to further publicize Cleanup Day 2006, which experienced an increase in volunteer efforts by 60 percent due to its promotion prior to cleanup day.

Resources:
NOAA Marine Debris Program
Albatross impacted by plastic trash

Articles:
Why Small Plastic Particles may Pose a Big Problem in the Oceans
Trashing the Ocean

Videos
The Story of Stuff

"The Great Pacific Garbage Patch," features the Greenhouse Gang uncovering an island of plastic bags in the Pacific