This year, cleaning the coast will start at our own front doors.
For safety reasons, there are no large, centrally organized cleanup sites this year. Instead, cleanups will be self-guided and close to home. Practice physical distancing, and strictly follow both local ordinances. This How-To Guide includes additional safety tips.
Cleaning your neighborhoods, local parks, streets, and storm drains helps protect our coast. Trash travels through storm drains, creeks, and rivers to become beach and ocean pollution. Help clean the beach by picking up litter in your community with your household.
Cleanups are happening every Saturday in September. If Saturdays don't work for you, don't let that stop you! You can clean up any day, any time. Report your cleanup by recording data on the CleanSwell app or by completing this form. (You can also use that form to enter the Most Unusual Item Contest.) All cleanups in September will be included as part of Coastal Cleanup Month.
In some areas of the state, your local coordinator has special events and virtual programming scheduled throughout the month. Reach out to see what's planned!
After your cleanup, take a 5 minute survey to let us know how it went. You'll get a coupon for free chips and guac from Rubio's and be entered into a prize drawing!
Thank you for staying safe, cleaning your neighborhoods, and protecting the coast! #CoastalCleanup #ProtectYourHappyPlace
Reporting thorough and accurate data helps create long-term solutions to pollution. Please use the app if possible, or download a paper data card.
This year, California cleans the coast by cleaning up our neighborhoods.
California Coastal Cleanup is typically the third Saturday of September. This year, we are adapting to current circumstances to honor the spirit of the cleanup while maintaining strict safety precautions. So on every Saturday of this September, from 9 AM to Noon, grab your bag and gloves and help clean the coast by keeping trash out of storm drains, creeks, and rivers, all of which eventually lead to the ocean. The cleanup helps bring awareness to the marine litter problem and provides a community event for direct involvement. Help us by joining in the fight to preserve wildlife by taking trash out of the environment. Volunteer alongside your families, friends, coworkers, scout troops, school groups, and service clubs. If you're not sure how to get started please let us know. Plan to spend a day outside connecting with your community to celebrate California!
The event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by the Ocean Conservancy. California Coastal Cleanup Day is the largest volunteer event in the US and International Coastal Cleanup Day is the largest volunteer event on the planet!
