I Pledge to…
Whether you’re sorting your trash or simply picking up after your pet, every action matters. Take the pledge and join our community of #ThatsMyBay Environmental Champions today!
Pledge
Every action pledged helps keep San Diego Bay clean.
Act
When you take your pledge to be an Environmental Champion, you’re affirming an action or habit to help maintain the beauty and health of San Diego Bay!
Enjoy
As each pledge is counted and action is taken, the bay should look a little brighter and cleaner. Be sure to take a moment to connect and enjoy our beautiful waters.
Share
Let your network know that you took your #ThatsMyBay pledge and help the community grow. Share your pledge on social with our tool kit. In the tool kit, you’ll find a selection of graphics, sample posts, and our #ThatsMyBay flyer.
What Your #ThatsMyBay Environmental Champion Pledge Means
I will make it a habit to pick up one piece of trash every time I am out.
Any piece of trash that isn’t properly disposed of can end up in San Diego Bay – whether it’s paper or plastic, aluminum or tin, Styrofoam or cotton – the bits of litter we may find on the ground can damage the waterfront and sea life. This is why it is important to make sure all waste ends up in a designated receptacle.
Typical trash can be thrown away in garbage bins, but paper, plastics, glass, and cans should all be recycled, as long as they are empty and dry. Even if it’s not your litter, taking this extra step as an environmental champion is greatly appreciated – by us and all the wildlife in the bay!
Tip: Keep hand sanitizer in your bag or car to use after touching any trash! And remember – never touch hazardous waste.
I will clear and properly dispose of excess leaves, grass, and other debris from my lawn and driveway to keep it from clogging storm drains and polluting San Diego Bay.
When it rains, outdoor debris can be washed into the storm drains and go directly to the bay. To keep our bay clean and prevent clogged storm drains, clear out the leaves, grass, and other loose debris from your lawn or driveway before a rainy day. Clearing these materials will also help maintain your driveway and lawn. This habit is great for the bay, and great for your yard.
Tip: Keep your broom and rake visible/easily accessible to make the task easier!
I will not allow my recycling to get polluted.
When your recycling bin gets heavily polluted with trash or organics, the process of recycling becomes much more difficult and costly for waste haulers.
For example, soft plastics like plastic grocery bags can damage the processing equipment at facilities. In cases with hazardous waste (electronics, batteries, chemicals, etc.), waste haulers will have to skip the bin completely. When it comes to proper waste disposal, there are a couple easy steps to remember:
- Empty your items completely before disposal.
- Dry your items out completely.
- Keep your items loose, don’t bag them.
Tip: When in doubt, throw it out! It is better to have a few recyclables go in the trash than to pollute your whole bin with non-recyclables.
I will wash my car at a car wash facility to keep dirty water out of San Diego Bay.
Wash water is usually filled with dirt, grease, and chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and enter our storm drains. To make sure that wash water is safely disposed and out of San Diego Bay, make the choice to wash your vehicle in a designated car wash facility. Designated facilities have drains that are diverted to the sewer system, so all wash water can be properly treated.
I will choose bamboo or stainless-steel utensils for beach and park meals instead of plastic.
Choosing utensils made of sustainable and reusable materials helps keep single-use items made from harmful plastics out of our bay. Everyday actions to reduce single-use items and reuse as much as we can add up to a clean San Diego Bay!
Tip: Keep your reusable utensils in your bag or car so you always have them when you need them, and make sure to wash them/put them back as needed.
