Keep California Beautiful & Partners Kick-Off Great American Cleanup™ in Sacramento: Litter collection and beautification projects help make California the cleanest state in the nation!

SACRAMENTO, CA – Government, non-profit and private organizations gathered in Sacramento today to launch California’s statewide efforts for the 3rd Annual Great American Cleanup™ campaign. Spearheaded by Keep California Beautiful (KCB), the goals of the effort are to collect litter, save taxpayer dollars and recycle more trash – all to make California the cleanest state in the nation!

“This event is meant to educate the public, state employees and legislators about what the campaign partners are doing and to encourage the public to take action in their own communities,” said KCB Executive Director Christine Flowers-Ewing. “Littering, illegal dumping and overrun landfills will spoil our quality of life here in California if we don’t work together to prevent them from happening.”

Flowers-Ewing was joined by representatives from the Caltrans, California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), California Conservation Corps, California State Parks, Natural Resources Agency, State Department of Toxic Substances Control, State and Consumer Services Agency, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

People pay for the collection of litter with their state taxes. "Our message to the public is 'Don't Trash California'," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. "We need the public's help in this battle against blight."

All levels of government are affected by litter problems, and the costs related to dealing with those problems have an effect on already fiscally-strapped government agencies.

"Every year cities and counties are compelled to spend tax dollars to battle illegal dumping," said CIWMB Board Member Rosalie Mulé. "That's why we're working with our local partners to clean up illegal dumps and raise public awareness about the hazards of illegal dumping so citizens can make a difference in their own communities. California and its people deserve better."

The week-long cleanup and beautification activities occurred in cities across California, including Bakersfield, Glendale, Los Angeles, Oakland, Riverside, San Diego and San Jose.

“Today’s activities demonstrate the important work that’s possible when state agencies, nonprofits and private companies come together for a common cause,” said Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman. “Each tree planted, each piece of trash collected and each bottle, can or cell phone recycled today brings us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable California and protects our natural resources for future generations.”

“My agency is doing our part to achieve Governor Schwarzenegger’s goal of a greener California by ensuring every state-owned office space meets LEED standards through sustainable building design and construction, and green operations and maintenance,” added State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Fred Aguiar.

"Unfortunately, most of the trash and debris seen along the highway is garbage flying out of car windows, and out of the backs of trucks," said DMV Deputy Director of Communications Michael Marando. "That is why we are working to remind California motorists to secure their loads and not let litter fly."

Representatives from the private sector said they also are serious about the proper collection of trash – especially if it is recyclable. “Plastics are too valuable to waste,” said ACC Manager of State Affairs, Sherri McCarthy. “We want to see valuable plastics in recycle bins, not in our waterways or trash bins headed for landfills.”

The cities involved in the statewide clean up were host to various activities such as electronic waste recycling events, reusable bag and plastic bag recycling promotions, creek cleanups, tree plantings, habitat restoration, community garden development, graffiti abatement, illegal dumpsite cleanup, youth education, and more. The efforts of one result in the power of many!

Statewide sponsors and partners include the American Chemistry Council, Pactiv and TarpX, Electronic Recyclers International, Waste Management Inc., Albertsons, Save Mart and Roplast.