The City of San Diego’s Think Blue program has teamed up with Project Clean Water and Caltrans to promote the responsible disposal of bulky items like mattresses, chairs, tires, appliances and more, along with several opportunities for San Diegans to help beautify the region.

Spring cleaning events coincide with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Clean California Community Days – a $1.2 billion multi-year investment led by Caltrans to remove trash, create jobs and transform public spaces – with events taking place statewide from March 17-27.

Events in the San Diego region include a free dump day on March 18 with multiple locations, opportunities for San Diegans to get free supplies to host their own neighborhood cleanups, and the closure of a portion of Interstate 15 for a Bike, Walk, Beautify event on March 25.

“San Diego is defined by the natural beauty of our beaches, and we all have to do our part to preserve that by keeping waterways that lead to the ocean clean and free of trash and debris,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This spring, we’re encouraging San Diegans to properly dispose of unwanted items by going to one of our free dump sites and also to consider hosting a cleanup in their neighborhood with friends and neighbors. Let’s keep our communities clean and beautiful!”

While most people do the right thing by choosing proper disposal options for unwanted items, dumping is still a major problem in our region. There are more than 34,500 reports of illegal dumping, littering, scavenging and waste-related violations in the City of San Diego annually. Think Blue and Project Clean Water encourage everyone to help alleviate this issue by donating usable items to a charity, taking waste items to a licensed drop-off zone, arranging for a pickup and reporting illegal dumping when you see it.

How to Get Involved

• Host A Cleanup – March 17-27 – San Diegans can register at Clean California to host their own neighborhood cleanups and get free cleanup supplies.
• Free Dump Day Events – Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m.-noon – San Diegans can dispose of household waste safely and properly for free at various Caltrans maintenance yards. The following items will not be accepted: hazardous waste (batteries, paint, oils, flammables, etc.), construction debris (concrete, dirt, asphalt, asbestos), compressed gas, aerosols, treated wood waste, refrigerators and freezers. Four mattresses and four tires separated from the rims per household will be accepted.
  • Kearny Mesa: 7181 Opportunity Road.
  • Escondido: 1780 W Mission Road, Escondido.
  • Chula Vista: 570 C St., Chula Vista.
  • Santee: 8502 Railroad Ave., Santee.
• Bike, Walk, Beautify Event – Saturday, March 25, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – Caltrans is closing traffic on northbound Interstate 15 between 32nd Street and State Route 94. While crews perform routine scheduled maintenance, members of the public can walk and bike the highway while helping to clean it up. This family-friendly event includes games, activities and art projects.

For more information about properly disposing of unwanted items, visit projectcleanwater.org/dude.
The mission of Think Blue San Diego – the public education and outreach program for the City of San Diego’s Stormwater Department – is to raise awareness of the need for significant investments in the City’s aging stormwater system to ensure clean water and clean beaches for all San Diegans. For more information: thinkblue.org.
Project Clean Water is a county-wide initiative dedicated to protecting water quality in San Diego County. The initiative fosters greater awareness of everyday actions people can take to reduce runoff and stormwater pollution. Project Clean Water is made up of 21 agencies that offer a centralized point-of-access for water quality information, resources, and water management plans. Project Clean Water encompasses all 11 of the regional watersheds. The goal is to support the region’s water quality on behalf of healthy ecosystems and communities. For more information: projectcleanwater.org.
Trash has plagued California’s streets and highways for decades. Clean California makes significant investments in litter collection, community engagement and education to ultimately transform unsightly roadsides into spaces of pride for all Californians. This is truly a statewide effort with potential projects in all 58 counties and with nearly a third of the funds going directly to cities, counties, tribes and transit agencies to clean local streets and public spaces. For more information: cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov