our views deserve Better
From this...
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To this!
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Grizzly Peak is a natural wonder. It offers the best views in the Bay. It is also the only heavily-used public space in the region that does not provide trash cans, regular cleanups, or other common-sense anti-litter solutions. With its $7 billion endowment and grizzly bear mascot, UC Berkeley must be a better steward of our land.
At a minimum, here is what Grizzly Peak needs to be a clean and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy:
1. Trash Cans at Each Pullout. The UC Facilities Manual provides that Cal must ensure a "safe, healthful, and secure environment" (§§ 1.3.1, 1.4), an "environmentally acceptable atmosphere" (§ 1.1.2), and "well-maintained facilities" that "meet the University's requirements" (§§ 1.1.7, 1.1.2).
In addition, Cal's Zero Waste Plan repeatedly stresses that "one of the most effective downstream activities" for capturing litter is the installation of "standardized signage and bins" at "major thoroughways and entrances and exits" (pp. 4, 26). According to the Plan, "Bigbellies are now the standard [trash] receptacle for outdoor locations at UC Berkeley" and should be "strategically placed" in "high-trafficked areas," including "on campus as well as off campus" (pp. 26, 27).
In order to meet these legal and environmental obligations, Cal must place and maintain Bigbelly trash, recycling, and compost containers at pullouts 0 through 5 and 7, as well as this pullout, which serves several heavily-used trails. These pullouts see hundreds of visitors every day, and people routinely tell us that the lack of trash cans is the main reason people litter, which is why we place and maintain them in every other park and public space.
As pictured above, Cal recently install Bigbellies at this pullout located next to the Lawrence Hall of Science, likely because it is in plain view of the museum. All we're asking is that the same courtesy be extended to the rest of its campus. Go (Grizzly) Bears!
2. Weekly Litter Cleanups. The cleaner a space is, the less permission people feel to trash it. In addition to competent waste containers, weekly litter cleanups are essential to ensuring Grizzly Peak remains a clean and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.
3. Leave No Trace Signs. Grizzly Peak does not currently feature signs asking people to respect nature and our shared common areas. As with all relationships, if we want specific behaviors we have to use our words.
4. Butt Containers. Cigarette butts are some of the main litter items we pick up. Given the site's shocking fire risk, installing numerous butt containers at each pullout would seem a prudent investment.
5. Seal Dump Sites. For years, a handful of trashy people have taken advantage of Grizzly Peak's remote location and lack of enforcement to use this natural wonder and cultural institution as a free dump. After three hellishly difficult cleanups (see here, here, and here) and an award-losing video, Cal finally cleaned up the main illegal dump site in April of 2025.
Unfortunately, as with its insufficient and non-spec portable waste containers, this cleanup is not enough. Unless the pullouts above the dump sites (located here and here) are sealed with railings or logs placed close to the road in a manner that blocks all parking, trashy people will just keep throwing tons of junk down Grizzly Peak's ravines while pocketing their dump fees.
Again, $7 billion in the bank, and a grizzly bear mascot. Cal must do better.
At a minimum, here is what Grizzly Peak needs to be a clean and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy:
1. Trash Cans at Each Pullout. The UC Facilities Manual provides that Cal must ensure a "safe, healthful, and secure environment" (§§ 1.3.1, 1.4), an "environmentally acceptable atmosphere" (§ 1.1.2), and "well-maintained facilities" that "meet the University's requirements" (§§ 1.1.7, 1.1.2).
In addition, Cal's Zero Waste Plan repeatedly stresses that "one of the most effective downstream activities" for capturing litter is the installation of "standardized signage and bins" at "major thoroughways and entrances and exits" (pp. 4, 26). According to the Plan, "Bigbellies are now the standard [trash] receptacle for outdoor locations at UC Berkeley" and should be "strategically placed" in "high-trafficked areas," including "on campus as well as off campus" (pp. 26, 27).
In order to meet these legal and environmental obligations, Cal must place and maintain Bigbelly trash, recycling, and compost containers at pullouts 0 through 5 and 7, as well as this pullout, which serves several heavily-used trails. These pullouts see hundreds of visitors every day, and people routinely tell us that the lack of trash cans is the main reason people litter, which is why we place and maintain them in every other park and public space.
As pictured above, Cal recently install Bigbellies at this pullout located next to the Lawrence Hall of Science, likely because it is in plain view of the museum. All we're asking is that the same courtesy be extended to the rest of its campus. Go (Grizzly) Bears!
2. Weekly Litter Cleanups. The cleaner a space is, the less permission people feel to trash it. In addition to competent waste containers, weekly litter cleanups are essential to ensuring Grizzly Peak remains a clean and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.
3. Leave No Trace Signs. Grizzly Peak does not currently feature signs asking people to respect nature and our shared common areas. As with all relationships, if we want specific behaviors we have to use our words.
4. Butt Containers. Cigarette butts are some of the main litter items we pick up. Given the site's shocking fire risk, installing numerous butt containers at each pullout would seem a prudent investment.
5. Seal Dump Sites. For years, a handful of trashy people have taken advantage of Grizzly Peak's remote location and lack of enforcement to use this natural wonder and cultural institution as a free dump. After three hellishly difficult cleanups (see here, here, and here) and an award-losing video, Cal finally cleaned up the main illegal dump site in April of 2025.
Unfortunately, as with its insufficient and non-spec portable waste containers, this cleanup is not enough. Unless the pullouts above the dump sites (located here and here) are sealed with railings or logs placed close to the road in a manner that blocks all parking, trashy people will just keep throwing tons of junk down Grizzly Peak's ravines while pocketing their dump fees.
Again, $7 billion in the bank, and a grizzly bear mascot. Cal must do better.