Local Cleanup In Castro Valley This Saturday

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — September is Coastal Cleanup Month and a statewide beach cleanup day is underway. Here in Castro Valley, a major cleanup will beautify the community, plus keep trash from flowing into San Francisco Bay.

According to the California Coastal Commission, in 2019 more than 74,000 volunteers picked up more than 900,000 pounds of trash from beaches and waterways throughout California.

For the Castro Valley cleanup, "Be part of the 39th annual Coastal Cleanup Day at the Castro Valley Creek Trail! Volunteers will participate in a litter pickup along the creek trail and beautify the trail starting from the Castro Valley Library to Castro Valley Creek Blvd.

"Trash from inland areas, like Castro Valley Creek, flows downstream to the coast and into the ocean. Cleaning upstream riparian areas helps prevent garbage from entering the ocean, protecting birds and other marine animals, while beautifying the environment."

This effort is made possible by the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and The Alameda County Unincorporated Area Clean Water Program in coordination with Friends of San Lorenzo Creek. Download the Clean Swell App before you arrive to have your trash be part of the California count. If you have questions, email Jennifer Trevis at jennifer.trevis@acrcd.org

If you would like to cleanup the Bay shoreline, the East Bay Regional Park District is sponsoring cleanups at the Hayward Shoreline and Alameda beaches. More information is here.

The cleanups take place from 9 a.m. to noon, though if you are unable to attend a cleanup on Saturday, fear not — you can participate in a self-guided neighborhood cleanup in your local park or community. According to the California Coastal Commission, all you need to do is download the CleanSwell app on your phone and clean on your own time throughout September.

Residents may also sign up through the California Coastal Commission.