If you’ve spent time on the shoreline, around creeks, or out on the Bay, you’ve seen the trash problem – accumulating litter piles that dirty the landscape and pollute San Francisco Bay.
This trash mostly comes from city streets and storm drains. Plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cigarette butts, and thousands of other waste items end up on shorelines and then in the water. They’re not only an eyesore, but also harm birds, fish, and other wildlife that confuse the garbage for food. Plus, over time, all plastics break down into microplastics that make their way into the ecosystem and food chain.
But the Regional Water Board—which oversees regulations and controls on trash—has failed to fix the problem. Instead, the Board has applauded cities for 100% trash reductions, based on faulty baselines. We can all see with our own eyes that there is still too much trash in the Bay.
The Board can and should do a better job keeping the Bay’s shoreline, local communities, and waters clean. Sign on today to urge local officials to do better and send us your photos of trash along the Bay’s shore!
Sign your name to show your support for a healthy, trash-free Bay
Pictured: Trash along the shoreline in San Jose.