Keep Collier Beautiful will host the 39th annual International Coastal Cleanup on September 21, 2024. The community-wide cleanup will be held on several beaches and canals throughout Collier County.
In 2023, nearly 1,000 volunteers registered for this community-wide cleanup, logging over 3,000 total service hours to help clean Collier County’s beaches and waterways. They collected more than 360 trash bags of litter and debris from 17 locations. Every year, Keep Collier Beautiful welcomes a diverse group of elementary, high school, and college students seeking volunteer hours, boys’ and girls’ scouts, civic organizations, businesses, government offices, and other communities to participate in this event.
“The International Coastal Cleanup is our most popular event. It is so rewarding to see the children engaging with teachers, parents, and clubs in hands-on lessons about the environment. They leave the cleanup passionate about protecting our beaches and waterways,” said Larry Berg, president of Keep Collier Beautiful.
The International Cleanup event was founded by the Ocean Conservancy, with local efforts being spearheaded by Keep Collier Beautiful and its partner organizations. The community-wide cleanup is meant to bring together volunteers, local businesses, and municipalities in support of Collier County’s unique environment. Through ongoing partnerships, Keep Collier Beautiful helps support litter prevention, education, and community cleanup programs.
Interested site captains who would like to include their nearby beach or canal as cleanup locations should email Keep Collier Beautiful at keepcollierbeautiful2021@gmail.com to confirm participation. A final list of locations will be announced by August 15, 2024. Registration for general volunteers is available at keepcollierbeautiful.com/international-coastal-cleanup/.