Port of San Diego Collects Nearly 4,700 Pounds of Trash During #ThatsMyBay Service Day 2024

Media Contacts: Brianne Mundy Page, 619.348.1518; Elizabeth Volberding, 619.686.7293

The Port of San Diego hosted its third organization-wide #ThatsMyBay Service Day on Thursday, September 19, 2024, as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. During this impactful coastal cleanup event, Port employees dedicated a portion of the day to removing 4,700 pounds of trash and debris from several waterfront locations, helping to prevent pollution and protect the natural beauty of San Diego Bay. Throughout the event, employees learned about the detrimental impact of marine pollution.

The #ThatsMyBay Service Day initiative holds special significance in the Port's long-standing dedication to the safekeeping of San Diego Bay. Since 2008, the Port has celebrated September as Green Port Month, an annual tradition that highlights the Port's efforts to preserve the bay as an essential natural resource for future generations. This Service Day cleanup event has become a signature occurrence within Green Port Month, demonstrating the Port's leadership in environmental responsibility. The event also aligns with the Port's Environmental Champions and Pollution Prevention campaigns, providing an opportunity for the Port to set an example by actively engaging in hands-on conservation efforts within the community.

Five key bayfront locations were selected for this year's #ThatsMyBay Service Day: Spanish Landing Park, Embarcadero/Tuna Harbor Park, Chula Vista Marina View Park, Pond 20 in Imperial Beach, and Tidelands Avenue in National City. At each of these sites, Port employees picked up trash and debris from the shoreline, streets, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, effectively preventing litter from entering San Diego Bay. Their efforts help preserve the local ecosystem and protect the water quality for wildlife and the community.

Participants wearing colorful event t-shirts worked diligently across many different environments, from scenic waterfront parks and piers to recreational areas with boat launches and playgrounds. Afterward, a post-event celebration was held at the Living Coast Discovery Center (LCDC) in Chula Vista. Staying in spirit with Green Port Month initiatives, this event offered employees a unique opportunity to learn about LCDC's diverse bird and marine species while reinforcing the organization's commitment to sustainability. Attendees enjoyed an eco-conscious, zero-waste lunch, further aligning with the Port's dedication to green practices and encouraging environmental stewardship.

Around 180 Port employees participated in this year's event and approximately 4,700 pounds of trash was collected, disposed of, and prevented from entering San Diego Bay. A breakdown by location is as follows:

• Spanish Landing Park: 287 lbs., 45 volunteers
• Embarcadero/Tuna Harbor Park: 69 lbs., 16 volunteers
• Chula Vista Marina View Park: 236 lbs., 36 volunteers
• Pond 20: 1,817 lbs., 30 volunteers
• Tidelands Ave: 2,260 lbs., 55 volunteers

In previous Service Days, the Port team successfully collected over 3,000 pounds of waste, marking a significant contribution to the protection of San Diego Bay. This year's event built on that success, further showcasing the Port's role as a champion of environmental care and coastal sustainability.

For more information about the Port's environmental initiatives and ongoing projects, please visit portofsandiego.org/environmentand portofsandiego.org/thatsmybay.