The City of San Diego is increasing street sweeping throughout the Mission Beach alleyways this summer in response to an increase in visitors during the busy tourist season. The added effort will help reduce pollution from increased trash and debris from crowds and beachgoers, preventing it from reaching the ocean or Mission Bay. 

Effective today, May 20, Mission Beach alleys will be swept every week on Wednesdays. The summer sweeping schedule will continue through September. The Stormwater Department is using sweeping equipment that will allow it to reach nearly every alley in both North and South Mission Beach. 

“I want to thank the Stormwater Department for their continued hard work to keep Mission Beach clean during the busy summer months,” said Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, who represents Mission Beach. “As residents and visitors come to the beach this summer, these additional routes will ensure that our streets are free of trash and debris, and fly infestations are reduced. This will improve the quality of life for all people to enjoy Mission Beach.” 

Enhanced sweeping in Mission Beach has the added benefit of reducing insect nuisance during the summer and improving vector control efforts throughout the community. 

“Street sweeping is one of the most effective ways we protect our neighborhoods and reduce pollution reaching the ocean,” said Todd Snyder, Director of the City’s Stormwater Department. “By sweeping Mission Beach every week, we’re helping ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy our exceptional beaches and bays all summer long.” 

Residents and visitors can support street sweeping efforts by following posted parking signs, placing trash in collection bins on trash collection days, and promptly reporting illegal dumping and other issues to the City’s Get It Done app. 

Rainfall that enters storm drains is not treated, and that runoff collects pollutants from properties and streets and carries them into local waterways. Street sweeping helps remove large and microscopic pollutants, such as brake dust, from vehicles before they reach a storm drain. Those particles can be extremely harmful to fish and other wildlife. 

Visit the City’s interactive street sweeping map for more information about routes and schedules.  

In further efforts to keep Mission Beach clean and safe during the warmer months, a second trash collection will be provided through the area. The Environmental Services Department (ESD) will collect refuse from gray trash bins on Saturdays from May 30 to Sept. 5, in addition to the usual Tuesday pickup. Collection of organic waste and regular recyclables will continue as normal: pickup for green bins every Tuesday, and for blue bins every other Tuesday. Visit ESD’s Trash Service Updates webpage for collection schedules, recycling tips and more.  

San Diego is defined by the natural beauty of its beaches and coastal waters, and keeping those precious resources clean, safe and healthy is the mission of Think Blue San Diego, the educational arm of the City’s Stormwater Department. To learn more about Think Blue San Diego and how to implement a Think Blue mindset, go to ThinkBlue.org.