Alabama's 39th Coastal Cleanup Needs You Sept. 19

Alabama's coastline is getting a helping hand from thousands of volunteers who prove that community action can create real change.

The 39th annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup takes place September 19 from 8 a.m. to noon across Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia counties. Volunteers of all ages can join 33 cleanup zones to remove trash from beaches, bayous, and coastal areas while spending a beautiful Saturday morning outdoors.

Since the first cleanup in 1987, more than 115,000 volunteers have removed 900 tons of marine debris from Alabama's waters. That's the weight of about 150 elephants worth of trash that would otherwise harm wildlife and pollute coastal ecosystems.

"This annual event is a testament to what communities can accomplish when they come together to take care for the places they love," said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of Alabama's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, a worldwide effort to protect oceans and waterways.

Zone coordinators will provide everything volunteers need, including trash grabbers, bags, and gloves. First arrivals get free T-shirts, scout badges, and window decals.

The event does more than just remove trash. Volunteers record the types of debris found in each zone, creating data that helps scientists understand pollution patterns and develop better solutions. Many plastic bottles and aluminum cans collected during the cleanup get recycled, keeping them out of landfills.

The Ripple Effect

Nearly 40 years of coastal cleanups have created a culture of environmental stewardship across Alabama. The data collected by volunteers has informed statewide policies on waste management and marine protection. Local businesses, tribal nations, and community groups now sponsor the event, showing how grassroots action can inspire broader change.

The 2026 cleanup is supported by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as title sponsor, along with dozens of other organizations from Airbus to local utilities companies. This partnership between government agencies, businesses, and everyday citizens demonstrates what's possible when communities unite around shared values.

Families looking for meaningful ways to spend time together now have an annual tradition that teaches children about environmental responsibility while making a tangible difference. The simple act of picking up trash has rippled into lasting community bonds and measurable environmental improvements.

Registration and zone information are available at AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com or by calling (251) 621-1216.

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