Join Us at the International Coastal Cleanup

Posted Wed, 09/05/2018 - 15:48

 

It’s almost that time of year—time for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)! This annual event, put on by the Ocean Conservancy and supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP), works to bring people together from across the globe to clean up marine debris in their local communities. Last year’s cleanup resulted in more than 10,000 tons of trash collected by over 789,000 volunteers covering almost 18,000 miles! With so many miles covered, you can bet there will be a cleanup near you. Find your cleanup and sign up here.

This event is a great way to become an ocean superhero just by putting on a pair of gloves and helping to clean up some litter. In fact, here at the MDP we love the ICC so much, we get out there and clean up too. To get ready for this year’s ICC, we asked our team why they #suituptocleanup.  

Staff member with trash bags.
MDP team member Christy Kehoe at last year’s ICC on Kingman Island, Washington, DC. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

"I believe each of us plays a significant role to reduce the global impact of marine debris. Whether it's picking-up debris see floating in the ocean or trash you see on the sidewalk, we can all do our part to prevent debris." - Christy Kehoe, Meeting Planner and Facilitation Specialist

 

Two people sift plastic out of sand.
Caption: MDP team members Mark Manuel (left) and Christy Kehoe (right) at an impromptu clean up on Hawaii’s North Shore. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

“Marine debris is a man made problem; if we don't clean it up, who will?” - Mark Manuel, Pacific Islands Regional Coordinator

 

Two people holding trash
MDP team member Sarah Lowe (left) cleaning up debris on the shores of the Great Lakes. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

“I #suituptocleanup to share my passion for a clean environment with others and to demonstrate that every little bit counts or helps.” - Sarah Lowe, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator

 

Woman holds bag of debris.
MDP team member Sherry Lippiatt records data on the debris she finds for the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project. (Photo credit: NOAA)

“I suit up to clean up to do my part and nerd out about marine debris data collection!” - Sherry Lippiatt, California Regional Coordinator

 

Man with plywood heart that says "love".
MDP team member Nir Barnea at his first ever ICC 13 years ago. (Photo Credit: Nir Barnea)

“Because of the great find, the plywood heart with LOVE, that I re-used and it now adorns my office.” - Nir Barnea, Pacific Northwest Regional Coordinator

 

Three children and an adult behind a pile of trash.
MDP team member Jason Rolfe with his family at an ICC event. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

"It's really dirty here, and can hurt the animals. Someone should clean it up." - Andrew Rolfe (left), son of Jason Rolfe, Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator

 

Find a cleanup near you and sign up to clean up today! The 2018 International Coastal Cleanup is Saturday, September 15th—we’ll see you there!