Volunteers Clear 1,200 Pounds of Trash in Chula Vista
More than two dozen volunteers cleaned Third Avenue as part of a countywide effort to keep litter out of storm drains and local waterways.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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More than two dozen volunteers removed trash along Third Avenue in Chula Vista on Saturday, collecting about 1,200 pounds of debris. The cleanup was organized by I Love A Clean San Diego and the city of Chula Vista.
Why it matters
The city has installed at least 30 grates to catch trash carried by rainwater, and the cleanup aims to keep litter and debris from reaching storm drains and waterways. The effort responds to the region's preparation for possible increased rainfall from El Niño, which can move accumulated debris toward the bay.
Volunteers collected about 1,200 pounds of trash, the first of 30 planned community cleanups across the region. Volunteers weigh and document findings after each event, but the reporting does not yet show how the total compares with earlier cleanups in the city.
The players
I Love A Clean San Diego
A San Diego County cleanup organization that holds community cleanups across the region roughly every four months.
City of Chula Vista
The municipal government that co-organized the cleanup and installed at least 30 grates to catch trash carried by rainwater.
The details
Volunteers removed debris from Chula Vista streets along Third Avenue, weighing collected trash and documenting what they found. The cleanup is part of ongoing community cleanups run by I Love A Clean San Diego, which holds events throughout the county approximately every four months.
Timeline
Saturday, November 14, 2026: Volunteer cleanup along Third Avenue in Chula Vista.
March 2027: Planned I Love A Clean San Diego cleanup in Chula Vista.
Philanthropy Context
The cleanup extends the city's grate installations by removing debris before rainfall can carry it through storm drains toward the Tijuana River and San Diego Bay. It reflects a regional preparation effort for possible El Niño rainfall, with the first of 30 planned community cleanups taking place in Chula Vista.
Residents who want to help can join future community cleanups, which are announced by I Love A Clean San Diego roughly every four months. Keeping litter off streets reduces the amount of debris that reaches storm drains and local waterways during rainy periods.
The takeaway
Small, regular volunteer efforts such as this cleanup can keep debris out of storm drains before heavy rain arrives. Residents can help by keeping trash off streets and joining future cleanups.
What happens next
Additional I Love A Clean San Diego cleanups are planned, with one expected in Chula Vista in March 2027.
Further reading
Explore more community giving and volunteer efforts in Philanthropy across Chula Vista.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
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