Ballona Creek Renaissance shares 2014-15 cleanup stats, recap

Photo Courtesy of BCR. TEAMWORK: BCR Club members getting trash ready for City of Los Angeles pickup and weighing. In partnership with public agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, businesses and community members, BCR promotes environmental, artist

In 2014, BCR conducted nine creek cleanups, eight at Centinela Avenue with the City of LA, and one at Overland Avenue with the City of Culver City. At those events, more than 2,700 pounds of ocean-bound debris was collected with over 600 volunteers, including event leaders and helpers.

Cleanups ranged in size from small events with employees from Possible or students from Marlborough High School to large open events, such as Evan Dumas’ zero waste Eagle Scout project cleanup in April 2014, when about 125 volunteers collected a 2014 BCR record of 869 pounds of debris (706 pounds of trash and 163 pounds of recyclables).

Soon after the April project, Dumas formed a Culver High BCR Club and was elected to the BCR Board. He and the well-organized club members became key co-leaders for our cleanups, alongside Sandrine Cassidy Schmitt, Deb Gregory and others.

The post-rain cleanup on Dec. 6, 2014 brought out 70 volunteers who collected 630 pounds (510 trash, 100 recyclables, 20 hazardous materials).

2015 started off with another post-rain cleanup on Feb. 21, with 60 volunteers who collected 440 pounds trash, 130 pounds recyclables and 115 pounds of hazmat materials.

Of course, it would be better if there wasn’t so much trash in the creekside foliage, but in the meantime, the cleanup volunteers make a difference!