In the 1950s, single-use plastics — everyday items like shopping bags, disposable utensils, straws, and food containers — were first introduced to the public. Over the ensuing decades, they revolutionized “convenience” in society — from pre-wrapped plasticware at fast-food restaurants to the bags and packaging accompanying nearly every purchase at grocery and department stores alike. However, our reliance on convenience and comfort has come with a great environmental cost. 

Today, the global toll of plastic pollution is an environmental calamity. 

The world now generates 400 million tons of plastic waste each year yet only 9% of plastics generated have been recycled. Of that, 8 million tons find their way into our oceans annually, covering 40% of ocean surface. Not only are plastics found in the stomachs of fish and marine animals that humans rely on as a food source, but entanglement also kills more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals annually. 

Plastic pollution is choking our oceans, waterways, and everything that relies on them. And it’s estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. 

But there’s plenty that we can do to make a difference. 

On September 21st, conservation and volunteer organizations across the globe are partnering for the 39th International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). For nearly 40 years, this initiative has engaged and inspired 17 million people from all corners of the globe to come together and remove more than 350 million pounds of trash and debris from our beaches and waterways.  

If you’re ready to make a difference in Florida by cleaning up our coasts and waterways, check out the list of events below, the Florida State Parks event page, or the Ocean Conservancy’s interactive global map. Most events take place on Saturday, September 21st, however, some events run through October. 

Brevard County  

September 21st –Cocoa Village 

September 21st – Keep Brevard Beautiful
  

Broward County  

September 21st – Broward County
  
 

Indian River County  

September 21st – Coastal Connections 

Lee County  

September 21st – Keep Lee County Beautiful 

Martin County 

September 21st– Keep Martin Beautiful 

Miami-Dade County  

September 21st – Multiple Events 

Nassau County  

September 21st – Keep Nassau Beautiful 

Palm Beach County  

September 23rd – Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park 

September 23rd – Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful 

September 23rd – Keep West Palm Beach Beautiful 

Pinellas County  

September 21st – Keep Pinellas Beautiful 

St. Johns County  

September 21st – Keep St. Johns Beautiful 

September 7th – Sol Margin Fishing 

Volusia County  

September 21st –  Volusia County Environmental Management
  

Wakulla County  

September 23rd – Keep Wakulla County Beautiful
  

Walton County  

September 21st – Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance