110,000 Volunteers Keep Alabama's Coast Clean for 39 Years

More than 110,000 people have spent their Saturday mornings protecting the Alabama coast they love, and this September, that number will climb even higher.

The 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup happens September 19 from 8 a.m. to noon across beaches, bays, parks, and even neighborhood storm drains throughout coastal Alabama. Anyone can join by visiting alabamacoastalcleanup.com to find a cleanup zone near them.

Alabama joined the International Coastal Cleanup in 1987, making it part of a global movement that started right here in the United States. Every year since, volunteers have gathered to tackle a problem that extends far beyond the shoreline.

Organizers point out that trash doesn't stay where it lands. Litter on streets and in neighborhoods travels through storm drains into streams and rivers, eventually reaching Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. That's why cleanup zones include areas that might surprise people, from local parks to residential streets.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' State Lands Division teams up with Alabama People Against a Littered State (Alabama PALS) to coordinate the event. Major sponsors include Coca-Cola United, the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama Power, Home Depot, and local favorites like Flora-Bama and LuLu's at Homeport.

The Ripple Effect

Volunteers use the CleanSwell app from Ocean Conservancy to track exactly what they collect. This data doesn't just measure one day's work. It contributes to a national database that helps scientists and policymakers understand coastal pollution patterns and develop better solutions.

The annual turnout reflects something deeper than environmental awareness. Organizers say it shows how much Gulf Coast residents genuinely care about keeping their communities beautiful for the millions of visitors who travel there each year.

Safety matters during late summer heat, so organizers remind volunteers to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and supervise children closely. They also ask people to be gentle around sand dunes and other fragile coastal ecosystems that need protection too.

Nearly four decades of Saturday mornings prove that small actions add up to massive change.