Join San Francisco Baykeeper in our annual Clean Bay Challenge and make a difference for the Bay this Earth Month!
Clean Bay Challenge volunteers help protect San Francisco Bay by picking up trash in their own communities -- whether it’s on the streets, in the parks, or along the shorelines. Baykeeper will support you with all the tips and tools you need to conduct a safe and effective cleanup.
Help keep San Francisco Bay clean and beautiful by volunteering in the Clean Bay Challenge this Earth Month. You can make a difference for the Bay and wildlife by picking up trash in your area. Sign up today and join the 2024 Clean Bay Challenge!
Step 1. Sign up for the Clean Bay Challenge. Registration is free!
Step 2. Conduct your individual or household cleanup. See below for instructions, safety guidelines, and location options.
Step 3. Tell us about your cleanup. The data you submit supports our long-term advocacy to stop trash in San Francisco Bay. Fill out our trash reporting form, and post on Instagram or Facebook using the tag #trashfreebay.
Choose a Bay shoreline, beach, creek, park, storm drain, or city street near you that is open to the public.
Below is a map of some of our favorite cleanup locations. Please make sure to check if your chosen location is open and accessible before heading to your cleanup site.
Trash pollutes the Bay and can entangle or poison wildlife. Single-use items like plastic bags, takeout containers, and masks litter shorelines. Plastic waste breaks down into microplastics that pollute the Bay and ocean.
Fill out this form to share details of where, how much, and what kind of trash you collected. You can also add a photo to show us how it went! Post your photos to social media using the hashtag #trashfreebay.
Gloves and hand sanitizer
Grabbers or tongs
Sturdy trash bags
Snacks and plenty of water
Sunscreen and sunglasses and/or a hat
Sturdy close-toed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty
Leave no trace. Since you’re organizing your own cleanup, you’ll be responsible for disposing of the trash you collect. Don’t overfill public trash bins, and plan ahead to bring trash home with you to dispose of at your residence.
Wear gloves and use a grabber or tongs to pick up trash. Don't pick up syringes or other sharp objects, dead animals, or human waste.
Separate hazardous waste like batteries and paint, and take them to a hazardous waste dropoff center
Dispose of or wash your gloves and thoroughly wash/sanitize your hands after the cleanup.
Looking to organize a group cleanup of more than 10 people at a public park? Be sure to check requirements for group activities and contact park officials in advance for approval.
Thank you to our Clean Bay Challenge sponsors:
Liability waiver
By participating you understand and agree that neither San Francisco Baykeeper nor associated jurisdictions may be held liable or responsible in any way for any injury, death, or other damages to you or your family, heirs, or assigns that may occur as a result of your participation, or as a result of product liability or the negligence, whether passive or active, of any party in connection with the cleanups.