Registration is open now for the annual Washington CoastSavers beach cleanup Sept. 19.
The cleanup of dozens on beaches along the Pacific Ocean and Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington state is part of the International Coastal Cleanup.
Volunteers can visit www.coastsavers.org and select beaches to clean from the Long Beach Peninsula to the Olympic Peninsula.
This is the third year the organization has participated in the International Coastal Cleanup.
“This is an opportunity to take part in a global effort to get trash off of our treasured beaches including many state parks and the Olympic National Park,” said Jon Schmidt, Washington CoastSavers coordinator.
“Be part of the solution to the pollution, that is marine debris,” he said.
Washington CoastSavers is an alliance of partners and volunteers dedicated to keeping the state’s beaches clean of marine debris.
Founding members of CoastSavers include representatives of Surfrider Foundation, Lions Club International, Discover Your Northwest, Grass Roots Garbage Gang, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Olympic National Park, NOAA Marine Debris Program and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Since 2007, their efforts have removed tens of tons of trash from the beach during the Washington Coast Cleanup which occurs in April every Earth Day weekend.
“Washington State Parks is proud to be part of CoastSavers,” said Don Hoch, parks director. “The annual coastal cleanup is one of the most inspiring events we participate in each year.”
The CoastSavers website offers information on how to register, what beaches will be cleaned, where to camp and special offers for cleanup volunteers.
Those who want to help but can’t participate, can donate funding on the website, Schmidt said.
One dumpster costs about $1,000 to rent and dispose of the trash once it’s filled. The Washington coast cleanups typically involve renting at least 10 dumpsters for every event.
Volunteers who aren’t physically able to carry filled bags off of the beach are welcome and can also participate by serving as a registration station beach captain, assisting with registering volunteers and ensuring they fill out the proper paperwork and follow safety guidelines.
This will be the 30th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup, hosted by Ocean Conservancy.
