Shoreline Cleanups offer a unique opportunity for anyone to take action and make a positive impact in their community alongside friends, family, or colleagues.
[1] By participating in a cleanup anywhere water meets land, people can help reduce the amount of litter that ends up in our ocean.
Additionally, the litter data collected by volunteers during the cleanup provides Ocean Wise and partners with essential information for addressing pollution at its source.
[2] For example, in 2011, 1,665 shoreline cleanup sites were claimed and a collective length of 3,144 km (1,954 mi) were cleaned, bringing in roughly 144 metric tonnes of garbage.
Eligible shorelines are areas where land meets water, which include but are not limited to oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds and wetlands.
This data has advanced single-use plastic bans, informed choices by food and beverage companies and supported municipal litter policies.