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Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Commission
320 West 4th Street,
Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 576-6615
Fax: (213) 576-6646
E-mail:
smbrc@waterboards.ca.gov
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Preventing pollution can be easy. Whether at home or at work, there are simple steps you can take to prevent pollutants from reaching Santa Monica Bay. You can also volunteer with one of the various local organizations in Los Angeles County that offer environmental restoration and pollution prevention programs. Many helpful tips and resources are provided here, as well as some great links to other educational websites that provide information on pollution prevention and volunteer opportunities.
Educate Yourself - Join Our Mailing List
Preventing Pollution at Home
Without knowing it, many of our daily activities at home can harm the environment. These include:
- Allowing toxic automotive fluids to drip onto the ground (poor vehicle maintenance)
- Over-watering and over-fertilizing lawns and gardens
- Washing yard waste (leaves, grass, branches, etc.) into the street, allowing it to reach storm drains
- Washing your car and allowing the soapy runoff to reach storm drains
- Neglecting to pick up pet waste
- Improperly disposing of hazardous or toxic household chemicals
- Littering the streets and storm drains with trash (e.g., cups, cans, paper and plastic bags, disposable diapers, cigarette butts, etc).
Household toxic chemicals can pollute the Bay and contaminate groundwater if not disposed of properly. Over-watering combined with the heavy use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers increases the likelihood that these chemicals will reach the storm drain system and ultimately the ocean. These actions not only expose humans and marine creatures to materials that are hazardous to their health, but also clog storm drains, worsen flooding, and create eyesores.
There are several ways to combat these problems and to help protect the environment at the same time. For starters, recycle as much household waste as possible. Many cities offer curbside pick-up or have drop-off sites for household waste such as glass, plastics, paper, and lawn/garden clippings. Most lawn and garden clippings can also be composted. If you are not sure what can be recycled, or where to go, log onto Earth 911, visit the Los Angeles County Sanitation District's Recycling Resource Page or call 800-CLEAN-UP. There are also recycling centers throughout Los Angeles County that accept household waste including paint, paint thinners, cleaning solvents, used motor oil, and other types of toxic fluids. Reducing the amount of toxic chemicals you use at home can also help the environment, while minimizing the amount you will later need to recycle. There are also numerous non-toxic alternative products available on the market, so be sure to read the label and purchase household cleaners, polishes, and other chemicals wisely. Here are 10 actions that can be taken at home to help prevent pollution:
- Reduce/Reuse/Recycle.
- Compost garden clippings and other biodegradable waste instead of putting them in the trash.
- Pick up after your pet to prevent bacteria from reaching the storm drain system.
- Conserve water both inside and outside your home.
- Take your car to a self or full-service car wash. If washing your car at home, use biodegradable soap and wash your car on the lawn rather than on the driveway or in the street.
- Sweep up debris on sidewalks and driveways. Never hose down these areas.
- Purchase less toxic household products such as cleaners and garden chemicals, and try home remedies whenever possible.
- Limit use of pesticides and herbicides, especially just before a rain is predicted.
- If you change your own oil, recycle the used oil at a service station or recycling center. Keep your car well maintained to minimize fluid leaks (motor oil, anti-freeze, etc.).
- Bag trash tightly and never let it blow into the streets.
Preventing Pollution at Work
In addition to the tips and websites listed above, there are a variety of ways to prevent pollution at work.
If your work is primarily indoors:
- Identify recycling opportunities in your office (office paper, newspapers, aluminum cans)
- Reduce paper consumption (print double sided)
If your work is primarily outdoors:
- Clean up spills, leaks, and drips immediately.
- Make sure hazardous materials are stored correctly so that they don't come into contact with storm water.
- Cover trashcans and dumpsters to prevent trash from blowing away or mixing with rainwater.
- Maintain vehicles so that they don't leak automotive fluids onto the ground.
- Do not hose down outdoor areas - sweeping is a great alternative.
Preventing Pollution on the Water
Recreational watercraft can also be a significant source of pollution to the Bay's waters. While urban runoff remains the greatest source of pollution to our coastal and inland waters, untreated sewage, oily bilge water, fuel/oil spills, and garbage waste from recreational boats continue to contaminate waterways.
Here are some actions that can be taken to help prevent pollution from boating activities:
- Reduce the use of toxic cleaning products. Most marine stores carry a full line of non-toxic products for bilge cleaning, holding tanks, and boat maintenance/repair
- Use non-toxic hull paint
- Use holding tank pumpout stations
- Dispose of waste oil, batteries, paints and cleansers at hazardous materials collection stations
- Use bilge pads to soak up small oil leaks
- Donate to the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation
For more information please visit our Boater Education Page
Get Involved
Many organizations throughout Los Angeles County need volunteers, and it's a great way to help restore habitats, maintain clean neighborhoods and beaches, and become a steward of Santa Monica Bay. Most of these organizations also have websites that explain the types of volunteer and internship opportunities available. The statewide list of volunteer organizations can be found on the California Coastal Commission website.
Some local groups and agencies include:
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