Clean Bay Challenge 2024

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!

Join the 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.

Volunteer to Protect the Bay from Trash

Will you join Baykeeper to protect the Bay from trash?

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Where to go for your cleanup

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.

Why your support is important

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.

How to track your trash

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.

What to plan for your cleanup kit

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.

Cleanup guidelines

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.

Share and inspire our community

Show us how you’re protecting the Bay from trash pollution by posting a photo, story, or video and tagging us on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtags #beachcleanup #sfbaykeeper.

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.

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