34th Annual Operation Clean Sweep

The Port of San Diego and San Diego Working Waterfront invite the public to participate in the 34th annual Operation Clean Sweep on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at various locations around San Diego Bay. Following the event, an after party will be held for all volunteers on Shelter Island in Point Loma adjacent to the Bali Hai Restaurant until noon.

Operation Clean Sweep seeks to remove trash and debris from San Diego Bay and the waterways that enter the bay. In 2023, nearly 1,000 volunteers removed 10.5 tons of trash and debris from San Diego Bay and the surrounding waterfront, including shopping carts, discarded bicycles, mattresses, household appliances, tires and other items, many of which were recovered underwater by volunteer civilian, military, and Port of San Diego Harbor Police divers.

“This is the most community-oriented event that our association organizes,” said Sharon Cloward, president of the San Diego Working Waterfront, which represents 800 businesses around San Diego Bay. “We all want clean water and clean neighborhoods, so we have to pitch in and pick up the trash that comes out of storm drains, or down creeks or from flood channels, mucking up the shoreline or settling onto the bottom of the bay. Our waterfront workers are dedicated to doing their part in keeping the bay clean.”

Volunteers are needed to assist with this year’s event and are encouraged to sign up and participate by choosing a location along the bay or within their own community.

“As environmental champions, the Port of San Diego is dedicated to protecting the health of San Diego Bay so that all residents and visitors can enjoy it. This is what we promised our surrounding communities and all the people of California,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We are proud to support Operation Clean Sweep, one of the most impactful environmental cleanups, not just for San Diego Bay and its shorelines, but the entire region. Please join us, our partners at the San Diego Working Waterfront, all our Port tenants and take part in this important event.”

Operation Clean Sweep is expecting upwards of 1,100 volunteers. Each volunteer receives a free t-shirt, and the San Diego Working Waterfront is providing a volunteer after party on Shelter Island at Shelter Island Shoreline Park, 2232 Shelter Island Drive. The t-shirt doubles as a ticket for a free meal from Leilani’s food truck. Festivities also include kids’ soccer activities with San Diego FC, entertainment by DJ Justin Kanoya, raffles, a Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department command van display, booths, prizes for the most unusual trash found, and more.

Anyone interested in volunteering can learn more and register at sdworkingwaterfront.com/events/operation-clean-sweep. Participants can select from locations around San Diego Bay, including Barrio Logan, Chula Vista, Coronado, the Embarcadero, Harbor Island, National City, Seaport Village, and Shelter Island. There are public and private cleanup sites. Participants are encouraged to sign up early, as the waiver is also the ticket to get a free t-shirt and cleaning supplies such as gloves and bags. For groups, visit the website for instructions. Volunteers will also be asked to provide the number of volunteers in their group, as well as submit t-shirt size requests.

Operation Clean Sweep is hosted and organized by San Diego Working Waterfront. It is sponsored by the Port of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric, Marine Group Boat Works, Bartell Hotels, General Dynamics NASSCO, Republic Services, Naval Base San Diego Security Force, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, American Medical Response, and over 50 Port tenant businesses.

There are public and private cleanup sites around San Diego Bay, including Barrio Logan, Chula Vista, Coronado, the Embarcadero, Harbor Island, National City, Imperial Beach, Seaport Village, and Shelter Island.  Participants are encouraged to sign up early, as your waiver is your ticket to get a free t-shirt and cleaning supplies such as gloves and bags.