Saturday September 20th, 2025 from 9am-noon
The International Coastal Cleanup was catalyzed by the passion and spirit of two committed individuals working at The Ocean Conservancy, Linda Maraniss and Kathy O’Hara. The two women were astounded by not only the amount of litter in Washington, D.C., but also the amount of litter that had found its way into our oceans. Maraniss and O’Hara contacted local government agencies and businesses to organize what would be the first International Coastal Cleanup. Since its creation in 1986, over 18 MILLION volunteers in over 150 countries have collected over 380 MILLION pounds of trash.
Keep Erie County Beautiful is a community-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the beauty, health, and sustainability of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Through educational programs, volunteer events, and collaborative partnerships, the organization focuses on reducing litter, promoting recycling, and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors among residents and businesses. Keep Erie County Beautiful actively participates in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) by providing essential materials and logistical support to help plan and organize cleanup events throughout the region. The organization helps mobilize volunteers, supply cleanup tools, and coordinate site efforts, all aimed at protecting Erie County’s waterways and natural habitats from litter and pollution.
Waste Management (WM) partners with Erie County during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) to collect all the trash gathered throughout the event, ensuring it is properly removed from cleanup sites. Additionally, Pro Waste Services supports the effort by providing dumpsters when needed and responsibly picking up and disposing of tires collected during the cleanup. These partnerships are crucial in helping Keep Erie County Beautiful efficiently manage waste and keep the community’s natural areas clean and safe.
The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) would not be possible without the support of our numerous other partners. Listed below are key organizations and businesses that contribute resources, volunteers, and expertise to help make this important event a success:
- PA Department of Environmental Protection
- National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
- Gannon University
- PA Department of Conservation of Natural Resources
- Erie Insurance
- PA Coastal Resource Management Program
- Giant Eagle
Volunteering for the Erie County International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is simple and impactful. On cleanup day, head to your designated site where you’ll receive gloves, trash bags, and instructions. Don’t forget to sign in! Use either the paper data cards provided or the Clean Swell app to record the types of litter you collect. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring essentials like sunscreen and bug spray. Your efforts help keep Erie County’s waterways clean and contribute valuable data to marine debris research.
What are the hours of the event?
The event runs from 9am-noon on Saturday, September 20th, 2025. Feel free to drop in at any point, though!
What should I wear?
Wear close toed shoes, and long sleeves depending on your location.
What should I bring?
We recommend bringing bug spray, sunscreen, and water!
Where do I get supplies?
Every location will have a site coordinator who will have supplies.
Can my student/child get volunteer hours for this event?
Yes!
I am busy that Saturday. Can I organize a cleanup as part of ICC on a different day?
Absolutely. Reach out to aknight@eriecountypa.gov to set up a location and time for your cleanup. All supplies will be provided to you.
Is pre-registration required to participate in the cleanup?
Pre-registration is not required, but appreciated!
How do we dispose of litter collected during the cleanup?
Each site coordinator will direct volunteers on where to put their filled trash bags which will then be picked up and disposed of by Waste Management.
Will the cleanup be canceled if it rains?
No we will be cleaning our shorelines rain or shine!
TBD
TBD
TBD
What is it?
On Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 9am to noon, you can have a first-hand look at what types of trash are littering your community, and how much of it is ending up in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and local streams. You will also have a chance to do something about it by joining people from around the world in the Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) — the oldest and largest volunteer shoreline cleanup of its kind.
Volunteers will be collecting tons of trash and will record what is found…how many plastic bottles, straws and plastic shopping bags, etc. Cleanup partners will use the information to find out what work we need to do together to eliminate trash on our shoreline and streams
How can I help?
We are always looking for site coordinators and volunteers at several sites across Erie County to coordinate cleanups and collect data. Registration is available below for a site, however it is not necessary in order to participate in the cleanup.
Download the Clean Swell App to immediately join a global movement to keep beaches, waterways, and the ocean trash free. Head out to your favorite Lake Erie beach (or any beach location in the world!) and use the app to easily record each item of trash you collect. Then share your effort with family and friends!
A diving component to the ICC was added in 2019. However, harmful algal blooms have made it unsafe to complete the dives in recent years. Stay up to date about the status of the dive component for 2024 through the Erie County ICC Facebook page.
Volunteer Registration Form
Below is the finalized list of cleanup sites for the Erie County 2025 International Coastal Cleanup! If you would like to participate, please click on the link and fill out the Erie County ICC Registration Form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Audrey Knight at aknight@eriecountypa.gov or call (814) 451-7326 or Alexandra Royal at aroyal@eriecountypa.gov or call (814) 451-7332.
Bridger Park
Raccoon Park
Presque Isle
Erie Bluffs
McDannel Run
Avonia Beach
Walnut Creek Access Area
East Ave
Wesleyville/Dollar Tree
Curtis (Napier) Park
Freeport Beach/North East Marina
Old Price Rite Plaza on Buffalo Road
East Side YMCA
Wintergreen Gorge
Peach Street
Dobbin’s Landing/Bayfront
Results from previous years
Erie County – People Places Pounds
In 2024, over 1,000 volunteers in Erie County focused on 16 sites along the Lake Erie shoreline and watersheds. Over 4,000 pounds of trash was collected, categorized, and removed from over 30 miles throughout Erie County. Six Erie County schools participated in the cleanup, as well as numerous businesses and organizations in the area.
International Data
In 2023, an astounding 469,482 volunteers globally contributed to the #SeatheChange. 15,508 miles were covered with 8,158,402 pounds of trash being removed from the waterways and shorelines. 15,519,392 items were collected in total. The top ten items collected globally were:
1. Cigarette Butts
1,860,651
2. Beverage Bottles (plastic)
1,175,045
3. Food Wrappers
998,661
4. Bottle Caps (plastic)
844,375
5. Grocery Bags (plastic)
622,780
6. Other Bags (plastic)
567,763
7. Food Containers (foam)
425,637
8. Food Containers (plastic)
425,637
9. Cups and Plates (paper)
423,551
10. Straws and Stirrers (plastic)
406,557
For more information, reports, and statistics, visit the Ocean Conservancy website.
Contact ICC
International Coastal CleanupAlexandra D. Royal, Coastal Resource Management & Agricultural Preservation Program Administrator
Erie County Department of Planning & Community Development
814-451-7332
aroyal@eriecountypa.gov
Thank you!
Thanks to all the volunteers who have participated in the Pennsylvania Lake Erie International Coastal Cleanup. Please share comments and photos of your ICC experience.