On July 26, around 100 ASEZ university students gathered at Market Creek Canyon Trail in San Diego, California, U.S. They came together to clean up an area that had long struggled with illegal dumping and litter and to help reduce plastic pollution. The cleanup was carried out in partnership with the City of San Diego as part of ASEZ’s “Zero Plastic 2040” campaign.
Market Creek Canyon Trail is located near a densely populated area with numerous homes and businesses. Trash and illegally dumped items have continued to accumulate around the creek, and when it rains, plastic and other pollutants are carried into the waterways by stormwater runoff. Since these waterways eventually flow into the ocean, the local waste problem is also directly connected to the marine environment.
Equipped with rakes, trash pickers, and gloves, the members made their way throughout the canyon. They worked together by locating trash left among the bushes and along the slopes and carrying it over the fence, where other members collected it and placed it into trash bags. Through the cleanup, they collected approximately five tons of waste.
Bianca, an ASEZ member from UC San Diego explained, “Through our partnership with the City of San Diego, we learned that Market Creek Canyon Trail has a long history of environmental challenges, including illegal dumping and littering. Plastic pollutants are carried into the waterways by stormwater runoff, and since these waterways eventually flow into the ocean, the problem affects the overall environment of San Diego.” She continued, “ASEZ wants to contribute to resolving the issues we encounter around the world and take an active role in addressing them. We are working to make a difference not only through hands-on activities such as cleanups, but also through awareness-raising efforts such as panel campaigns, forums, and seminars.”
“Zero Plastic 2040” is ASEZ’s global campaign to create a world free from plastic pollution. ASEZ university students continue taking action to reduce plastic pollution through cleanups, campaigns, education, and awareness-raising activities, with the ultimate goal of ending plastic pollution by 2040.
The university students’ efforts also received encouragement from the local community. In recognition of ASEZ’s continued activities, the organization received a total of four awards from San Diego County Supervisors Joel Anderson, Paloma Aguirre, and Monica Montgomery Steppe, as well as California State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson. On the day of the cleanup, a Legislative Representative from Supervisor Joel Anderson’s Office visited the site in person and presented the office’s award. Local media outlets, including FOX 5, KUSI, and Univision, also covered the activity.
The cleanup demonstrated how university students can work together with local government to directly address environmental challenges in their community and take action to reduce plastic pollution and create a more sustainable local environment. ASEZ will continue connecting the efforts of university students with cooperation from local communities as it carries out “Zero Plastic 2040” and other environmental initiatives around the world.
