Don't Trash the Bay

Trash is a major component of pollution entering San Diego Bay. Every year thousands of pounds of trash are removed from the Bay and its tidelands. Most trash in the Bay enters via the storm drain system. By taking a few simple steps, such as throwing all trash into the proper receptacles found around the Bay or holding on to trash until a receptacle can be found, everyone can greatly reduce the amount of trash in the Bay.

Cigarette butts are the most littered item found in the United States and around the world, and San Diego is no exception. Due to smoking bans inside public places in California and other states, over 99 percent of cigarettes are now smoked outside. A direct increase in the effects to the environment has been seen. Cigarette butts thrown onto streets and sidewalks get pushed into storm drains, which flow to creeks, rivers, and eventually the Bay. Once submerged in water, toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke found in cigarette filters are released, threatening water quality and marine life. Cigarette butts thrown into the environment have also been linked to fires and are especially dangerous during dry weather. Always dispose of your cigarette butts properly in an ash tray, and ask your friends to do the same.