280 Pounds of Trash and Recyclables at Yearend Events

An adult and two youth volunteers get ready for a Pacific Beach Coalition cleanup

The end of December brought us gray days and rain at our yearend beach cleanup events and habitat restoration along the coast. In fact, we had to cancel our Linda Mar cleanup for the first time in the Pacifica Beach Coalition’s history. We appreciate everyone who braved the elements to give back to their community! Despite the weather and lower volunteer turnout, we still managed to pick up an impressive 280 pounds of trash and recyclables.

Esplanade Beach

December 21, 2024 – It was a wild weather day at Esplanade Beach in Pacifica, but our cleanup up team and volunteers were dedicated. Together, 18 volunteers collected:

  • 45 pounds of trash
  • 1.5 pounds of recyclables
  • 472 cigarette filters 

Mussel Rock

December 28, 2024 – We experienced an overcast and cool day along the coast, and volunteer turnout was a bit low at Mussel Rock in Daly City. When we arrived to the site, we were sadly greeted by graffiti covering one of the knowledge plaques. On the bright side, the California poppy seeds that we scattered in a few places are starting to show as little plants. We’re excited for January when we’ll have more plants to plant as part of our habitat restoration efforts. Together, 4 volunteers collected:

  • 135 pounds of trash
  • 27 pounds of recyclables
  • 257 cigarette filters 
  • 200 pounds of green waste

This month’s unusual finds left us practically speechless:

  • 18-inch statue of a couple embracing
  • Chinatown newspaper vending machine
  • Golf club
  • Scale
A Chinatown newspaper vending machine discovered at a beach cleanup
Pacific Beach Coalition habitat restoration efforts
A tall statue of a couple embracing found at a beach cleanup
Two adult volunteers at a Pacific Beach Coalition event
A golf club and a scale found at a beach cleanup event
Graffiti on a knowledge plaque

Surfer’s Beach

December 28, 2024 – It was a very misty, foggy, wet morning at the Pillar Point boat launch for our Surfer’s Beach cleanup in Half Moon Bay. Thankfully, it wasn’t quite raining. There may have only been 18 volunteers, but they were mighty in their trash retrieval! Young volunteer, Nolan Robins, found a large blue piece of foam and was very proud of this unusual find.

Together, we collected:

  • 56 pounds of trash
  • 15 pounds of recyclables
  • 149 cigarette filters
Two adult volunteers show off the trash that they collected during a yearend Pacific Beach Coalition beach cleanup
A family of three talks to a naturalist at a yearend beach cleanup
A family of three poses near the beach at a cleanup event
A young adult stands near buckets that will be used for a beach cleanup
A young volunteer poses with a giant piece of blue foam found during a yearend beach cleanup event

Are you feeling inspired to volunteer with us? Our 2025 events are just getting started. Check out our calendar of events to sign up for one.