Pollution Collection

BluLite Bonfires was born from a desire to offer San Diego the most unforgettable beach bonfire experience. Initially drawn to wood-burning fires for their traditional charm, we soon realized the associated dangers and researched their adverse effects on health and the environment. Committed to positive change, we transitioned to a clean-burning, eco-conscious approach.

Our mission expanded beyond providing exceptional experiences; it became a commitment to extract pollutants from our environment and educate the millions of annual San Diego visitors. We invested in tools to safely sift through our shoreline, removing contaminants. Recognizing the city's resource limitations, we dedicated ourselves to supporting under-budgeted departments, envisioning San Diego's beaches as national benchmarks.

Engaging with our community, joining city organizations, and attending meetings, we created a map identifying harmful areas along our shorelines. Our surveys targeted beach entrances, city fire rings, and locations flagged by the community for illegal bonfire activity. We invested time in cleaning these areas, collecting samples, and cataloging data, aiming to study and combat pollution along the shoreline.

Aligned with San Diego's Think Blue program, we share a common goal: preventing pollution and safeguarding the community and wildlife. BluLite Bonfires is eager to contribute our resources to support this initiative, fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

 
 
 

Pollution Cleaning Trio

 
  • The Purpose First Beach Cleaning organization’s mission is to make a tangible impact on the plastic pollution problem in our oceans. They are dedicated to devoting our energy to helping preserve our ocean by incorporating sustainability in our community.

  • BLULITE BONFIRES focuses on beachfront hazardous micro-plastics. We collect and categorize beachfront pollution. This pollution can range from unappealing byproducts of illegal wood-burning bonfires to ash, glass, and even Microplastics. All of these harmful materials are found on visible parts of our beaches, and also buried within.

  • The Cans for books initiative focuses on community-based recycling of aluminum cans, Through these collection efforts, the funds collected are then used to buy children’s books. They are distributed throughout our local beach front boardwalks for tourists and local youth to enjoy!

FAQs

 

What causes ozone pollution to form?

Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is formed by chemical reactions between two common air pollutants, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). This happens when the NOx and VOC emissions from motor vehicles, industrial plants, consumer products and other sources interact under the influence of sunlight and heat. Ozone levels are highest during the summer months when the influence of direct sunlight is greatest.

https://www.sdapcd.org/content/dam/sdc/apcd/PDF/AB_617/Website%20Fact%20Sheet_Ozone101_Final.pdf

How much pollution is actually emitted from a traditional wood burning bonfire?

One fire pit in one evening is estimated to emit as much PM2.5 as one Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck driving 564 miles. Which equates to taking a minimum 186 Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks off the road and preventing over 100,000 miles of PM2.5 production every evening during summer.

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/parksrecfirerulesringlocations.pdf

How harmful is the smoke from a wood burning fire to our health?

The South Coast Air Quality Management District in California found that the particulate emissions rate per minute from one beach fire ring (fire pit) is equal to the secondhand smoke from 800 cigarettes.

https://woodsmokepollution.org/recreational-fires.html

The smoke from wood burning is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles (also called particle pollution, particulate matter, or PM).