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International Coastal Cleanup Day

Join us in making a difference this International Coastal Cleanup Day - help clean our beaches and oceans and make the world a better place!

Saturday

September 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEThird Saturday in September

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYNature

SUBCATEGORYOcean

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

On the third Saturday of September, let's come together to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day and help keep our coastlines beautiful! This important day has been around since 1986, when it was created to encourage people to get involved in protecting the environment. It's a great opportunity for individuals, families, businesses, schools and communities to join forces and make a difference by cleaning up litter from beaches and other coastal areas. Let's all do our part to keep the world's oceans healthy and clean!

TIMELINE

International Coastal Cleanup Day Timeline

Inception of Coastal Cleanup

The Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit environmental advocacy group in the US, initiated the first International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Data Collection Begins

The event begins to keep detailed records of trash collected worldwide to better understand the scope and sources of pollution.

Global Recognition

International Coastal Cleanup Day is recognized by the United Nations and becomes a globally celebrated event.

Million-Volunteer Mark Exceeded

Over a million volunteers participate worldwide, making this the largest volunteer effort for ocean's health.

Trash Free Seas Alliance

Ocean Conservancy starts the Trash Free Seas Alliance® to manage ocean waste at scale.

Digital Data Collection

The introduction of Clean Swell app supports digital data collection, facilitating recording and sharing of cleanup data.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day

Organize a beach cleanup

Organizing a beach cleanup is one of the easiest and most effective ways to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day. Establish a set location, gather supplies and recruit volunteers. Then hit the beach and help keep it clean.

EDUCATE

Educate your community

Inform your community about the importance of coastal cleanups and the effects of marine debris. Spread your message through word of mouth, social media, or even hosting an event or presentation.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer with local groups

Find out if any local organizations are participating in International Coastal Cleanup Day and sign up to volunteer with them. You'll be able to help make a real difference in your community.

ADOPT

Adopt a beach

Find a beach that needs some extra attention and adopt it! Regularly visit the beach to remove debris, educate visitors on proper disposal methods, and report any major issues to the appropriate authorities.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a virtual cleanup

If you can't make it to a beach for the celebration, join the global effort to clean up coastlines from around the world! Join an online forum or help document debris by submitting photos and data to international databases.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why International Coastal Cleanup Day is Important

It inspires environmental stewardship

Through coastal cleanups, people can come together to join forces and do their part in protecting our planet. By educating participants about the importance of conserving Earth's natural resources and habitats, International Coastal Cleanup Day empowers individuals with the knowledge and motivation they need to be better stewards of the environment.

It helps protect marine life

Marine animals are increasingly threatened by plastic and other debris that make its way into the ocean, putting them in danger of being injured or killed. International Coastal Cleanup Day encourages people to come together and help remove this trash so that we can help protect our precious aquatic ecosystems.

It prevents pollution

Coastal cleanups help keep beaches and waterways free from harmful pollutants that can damage local wildlife habitats and contaminate the water supply. By actively removing this debris from the environment, we can reduce drastically the amount of toxins that enter our oceans, rivers, and lakes.

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Dive into National Oceans Month with us! Join in on beach cleanups, educational events, and eco-friendly activities to preserve our beautiful oceans.

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