International Coastal Cleanup

What is it?

On Saturday, September 16, 2023 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?

Partner organizations will have site leaders at several sites across Erie County to coordinate clean-ups and collect data. We need volunteers at all these sites. Register below for a site.

A new diving component was added in 2019 on Presque Isle State Park.  Interested Divers must pre-register by contacting Diver’s World or visiting Scuba Erie’s website.

Also, be sure to like and share our Erie ICC Facebook Page.

Deadline for registration is Friday, September 15, 2023. Day of registration is also available at each site.

Volunteer Registration Form

Results from previous years

Erie County – People Places Pounds

In 2022, over 1,000 volunteers at 19 sites across Erie County picked up, counted and categorized 3,265 pounds of trash from the Lake Erie Watershed.

International Data

An astounding 318,000 volunteers in 110 countries picked up 5,595,330 pounds of trash in during the 2021 International Coastal Cleanup.

The most common items collected were:

1. Beverage Bottles (Plastic)
2. Bottle caps (plastic)
3. Forks, Knives, Spoons (plastic)
4. Grocery bags (plastic)
5. Food wrappers (candy, chips, etc.)
6. Straws, stirrers (plastic)
7. Other plastic bags
8. Plastic lids
9. Plastic Cups
10. Cigarette butts

For more information from the Ocean Conservancy.

Download the Clean Swell app to join a global movement to keep beaches, waterways and the ocean trash free. Head out to your favorite beach and use the app to easily record each item of trash you collect. Then share your effort with family and friends.

Contact ICC

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.