Thirty years of the Great LA River Cleanup

Since 1986, Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) have vowed to protect and restore the Los Angeles River, a 51-mile waterway that flows from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach. Once a thriving waterway filled with diversity, the majority of the river has become “the world’s largest storm drain – a concrete blight that claims a habitat for fences, graffiti and trash,” the FoLAR website points out. 

The cleanup event was established in 1989 as part of FoLAR’s greater River Movement, an initiative that aims to see the river free from concrete and working in concert with the development of a modern, cosmopolitan city. More than 10,000 people every year volunteer for the event, which takes place over the last three Saturdays in April at various points along the river. Ramboll was again a proud sponsor of the cleanup, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. This year alone, volunteers removed and prevented more than 120,000 pounds of plastic debris and trash from reaching the ocean. 

“Participating in the cleanup has been a great way to make a positive impact while team building with colleagues,” said Senior Consultant Hrishikesh Dalvi. “Not only did we get all the little pieces of plastic and Styrofoam out, but we also helped a local waste consultant with waste characterization. We look forward to doing this next year with an even bigger turnout.”