Every year from August through December, groups worldwide participate in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) effort, an initiative by the Ocean Conservancy to collect and document debris. Volunteers worldwide categorize debris collected from beaches, rivers, parks, and other areas to collect data on what debris is being found and how it varies from one place to another. The data collected can then be used to produce legislation that supports sustainable practices.
Each year, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance serves as the regional coordinator for ICC cleanups across the central Puget Sound, and 2024 was no different. With 13+ cleanups from Tacoma to Bellingham, 741+ volunteers collected 2, 608+ pounds of debris, reducing the amount of litter that enters our oceans and waterways.
What made 2024 even more special for Puget Soundkeeper Alliance was partnering with the Ocean Conservancy to host their first-ever Seattle based flagship ICC event. 180+ volunteers gathered at Alki Beach and collected 200+ lbs of trash along the shoreline and the surrounding neighborhoods. But this wasn’t just a Seattle effort – it was part of a massive, global movement. Since the first ICC cleanup in 1986, 18+ million volunteers have joined cleanup efforts, removing 385+ million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways globally.
Special thanks to all our partners for making our 2024 ICC events possible – we couldn’t do it without you! This includes: Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market, Environmental Science Center, the King County Public Health Department, Lakeside School, MAST Center Aquarium, Ocean Conservancy, Poogooder, Re SOURCES/North Sound Waterkeeper, Renton Sailing Center, Seattle Dive Tours, Sealife Response Rehabilitation and Research (SR3), Surfrider Foundation, Sustainable Bainbridge, and Whidbey Camano Land Trust.
To learn more about how you can get involved, or to learn more about our 2024 ICC results, please read the report below!