Headed to the beach this summer for some sun and surf? Make sure it’s a safe, healthy place to visit by organizing or joining a beach clean-up. Since the passage of the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution in 2007, which recognized the economic, recreational, and environmental value of America’s beaches, public and scientific awareness of coastal health has continued to grow.

Initiatives like EPA's BEACH Act grants support regular water quality monitoring and public notifications at thousands of US beaches, helping to protect public health from contaminants such as harmful bacteria. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), marine debris—including plastics, glass, and fishing gear—not only harms wildlife but also poses physical hazards to beachgoers. 

Volunteer clean-ups are proven to reduce this debris and have the added benefits of improving community connection and individual well-being. Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually in July, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. NEEF's National Public Lands Day is another great opportunity to create a memorable event near the water.  

But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

• Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
• Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event. You can use NEEF's NPLD Site Manager guide for best practices for organizing volunteer events.
• Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
• Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you'll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
• Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community's solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
• Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
• Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you'll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
• Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
• Track your trash. Become a citizen scientist with the NOAA Marine Debris Tracker App. Submit your location and findings to contribute to this global data collection.
• Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
• Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.

You can find more information on organizing volunteer events near the water, in the forest, or in a park in your community using the  NPLD Site Managers guide.

Updated7/6/2025