International Coastal Cleanup Day

International Coastal Cleanup Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of September. In 2026, this date falls on September 19. This global event mobilizes millions of volunteers to remove trash from beaches, rivers, lakes, and waterways, raising awareness about the devastating impact of marine debris on ocean health and wildlife.

History of International Coastal Cleanup Day

The International Coastal Cleanup began in 1986 when Linda Maraniss, an Ocean Conservancy staffer who had recently moved to Texas, was inspired by a groundbreaking report on plastics in the ocean being prepared by her colleague Kathy O'Hara. Together with the Texas General Land Office and local businesses, they organized the first cleanup, asking volunteers not only to pick up trash but also to record each item on a standardized data card. That first event drew 2,800 volunteers, a modest start that would spark a global movement.

Over the decades, the cleanup has grown exponentially, engaging more than 19 million volunteers who have collected over 400 million pounds of trash across more than 100 countries. The Ocean Conservancy now coordinates the International Coastal Cleanup, providing resources such as the Clean Swell app for data collection and a global map of cleanup sites. The event has become the largest volunteer effort on the planet, creating a lasting legacy of community action and scientific data that informs policies to reduce plastic pollution.

Why is International Coastal Cleanup Day important?

Marine debris is one of the greatest threats facing our ocean, harming wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, damaging coastal ecosystems, and even impacting human health as plastics break down into microplastics that enter the food chain. The International Coastal Cleanup directly addresses this crisis by removing millions of pounds of trash each year, preventing it from causing further harm. The data collected by volunteers is equally vital, creating the world's largest database on marine debris and helping scientists and advocates identify the most common types of trash and their sources.

Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, the day fosters a sense of global citizenship and personal responsibility. When individuals see the volume of trash they collect, they become more conscious of their own consumption habits and more likely to support policies that reduce single-use plastics. The cleanup also builds community, bringing together neighbors, schools, businesses, and organizations in a shared mission to protect our planet.

• Removes millions of pounds of trash from beaches and waterways each year
• Creates the world's largest database on marine debris, guiding policy and prevention efforts
• Protects marine wildlife from ingestion and entanglement in plastic waste
• Raises public awareness about the scale of plastic pollution and its solutions
• Builds community engagement and empowers individuals to take action for ocean health

How to Celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day

Participating is simple and rewarding. Find a cleanup event near you using the Ocean Conservancy's online map, or organize your own cleanup with friends, family, or coworkers. Gather reusable supplies like buckets and gardening gloves, and download the Clean Swell app to record the items you collect. Every piece of trash removed, from a plastic bottle to a tiny fragment, makes a difference for the ocean and its inhabitants.

You can also celebrate by reducing your own plastic footprint. Commit to using reusable water bottles, bags, and straws; properly dispose of fishing line and other waste; and support local and national policies that hold plastic producers accountable. Share your cleanup efforts on social media using the hashtag #SeaTheChange to inspire others and show that collective action can create a cleaner, healthier ocean for all.

International Coastal Cleanup Day Dates