As an organizer of the eighth annual Ocean Beach Community Cleanup held this past Saturday (Oct. 13) in the dirt lot west of Robb Field, I would like to give tremendous thanks to Lisa, Pam, Randy and their crew from the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department.
We collected 18.3 tons of refuse and recyclables fouling our alleys, streets and yards in Ocean Beach. Despite the early-morning rain, this was more than double the tonnage collected at last year’s event. We collected 12.1 tons of trash and 6.2 tons of recyclables, including metals and electronics.
With the help of the San Diego Rescue Mission and the Point Loma High School Foundation, we also collected gently used clothing, furniture, computers and small appliances, old cell phones and used ink and toner cartridges.
Bravo to the following organizations that provided volunteers to direct traffic and drive around in trucks to pick up discards from residents and public rights-of-way: OB Community Development Corporation, Ocean Beach Town Council, Zero Waste, Dusty Rhodes Park Committee, Dog Beach Dog Wash and OB Peoples’ Organic Food Co-op.
And special thanks to the following local businesses that provided refreshments for the staff and volunteers at the Community Cleanup: Kevin at the Jump Start Cart, Diane at OB 7-Eleven, and Kristi, Reba and Gregg at Chris’ Liquor & Deli.
Thanks to the dozens of Obecians who brought their and their neighbors’ discards to the event. We’re proud of a clean Ocean Beach and hope to keep it this way.