Volunteers Clean Up Over 700 Pounds of Trash After Deltopia in Isla Vista

ISLA VISTA, Calif. — Deltopia has wrapped up its 2025 run.

“Last year we collected close to a thousand pounds of trash, and I expect to see the same this year. I think it was around 200 buckets," said Thea Winterich, Stewardship Coordinator for the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District.

Thousands of people from up and down the coast showed up during the sunny weekend to celebrate spring break at UCSB.

“This is my first time here. I’m very excited — it seems like a lot of fun. The whole town is super high energy. I mean, everybody is out for this," said UCSB senior Carissa Lowe.

The big college party swept through nearby stores, emptying aisles of alcohol and beer at places like Target and creating traffic jams just to get into the parking lot.

But once the party ends and recovery begins, what visitors and students of Isla Vista don’t see is the post-party cleanup.

“Tens of thousands of people come to Deltopia, and with those people comes an equal or greater amount of trash," said Jenna Norton, Public Works and Sustainability Director for the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD).

The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District, alongside the Isla Vista Community Services District and the UCSB Environmental Affairs Board, hosted an annual post-Deltopia cleanup.

According to the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District, 61 volunteers showed up on Sunday to help collect trash, resulting in a total of 198 buckets — equal to 798 pounds — picked up from the streets.

“I think it’s really important and valuable that we have this event because Deltopia brings in an influx of trash, and it’s great to have volunteers come out and help keep the community clean," said Winterich.

“If we didn’t have something like this, the trash would ultimately just sit there and end up in the ocean," said Norton.

One volunteer shared her experience helping clean up after the big party.

“Obviously Deltopia is really fun, but it has a big impact on Isla Vista and the whole community. I think it’s really good to take a hand in helping clean up and make sure we support our community instead of hurting it in the fallout from this event," said volunteer Lucy Wellos.

“This goes to show that we are capable of having fun and then also coming together to take care of our community, which is essential. So it’s great to see that we’re having a good turnout today," said Norton.