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They don't do it to you?

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Home > Bay Issues > Keep It Clean!

We all know that the quality of life and economy in the Bay Area depend on a healthy and vibrant San Francisco Bay.

But what many people don’t know is that pollution from our own homes, cars and neighborhoods is one of the greatest threats to the Bay. For example, each year area residents contribute more motor oil to coastal waters than oil tankers.

When motor oil, pet waste, trash, and other pollutants are not properly disposed of, they are washed by the rain into storm drains and flow directly into the Bay.






"Drains to the Bay"
Listen to a
podcast on
Your Wetlands 



Experts agree that one of the essential ways to tackle the Bay pollution problem is to change the behavior of the Bay Area’s seven million residents.

That’s why in 2006, Save The Bay developed the Keep It Clean! campaign – to educate residents about the toxic runoff flowing into the Bay from cities and neighborhoods and inspire them to take action to stop these substances from contaminating the watershed.

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Bay Trash Hot Spots

Trash and marine debris threaten San Francisco Bay and the wildlife that depend on it. When trash reaches the Bay, it entangles, poisons, strangles, and kills Bay animals. Plastic is accumulating faster than it breaks down.

The world is starting to pay attention to marine debris. What are we doing about it here in the Bay Area?

These Bay Trash Hot Spots show some of the worst trash pollution in San Francisco Bay. A typical hot spot has a creek or storm drain outfall bringing trash downstream to the Bay, where tides push back to trap trash at the shoreline.



They Don't Do it to You!


Are YOU polluting the Bay?  In a series of surprising and humorous ads, Save The Bay’s campaign educates residents about the largest source of Bay pollution – toxic pollutants from Bay Area residents’ homes, cars and neighborhoods. 

Check out the ads, compelling videos of Bay animals on Save The Bay’s new interactive Web site to learn how YOU can stop polluting the Bay now!

Supported by:
The California Coastal Commission's  Whale Tail License Plate Grants Program,
Oracle, Kaiser Permanente and The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund

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