Bluffton's 37th River Cleanup Draws Thousands to May River

For nearly four decades, the small town of Bluffton, South Carolina has rallied neighbors every September to clean up the May River, the waterway that defines their community. This year's 37th annual River Sweep proves that consistent community action can protect the places we love.

The September 19 cleanup brings together families, paddlers, businesses, and civic groups at Oyster Factory Park from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers can choose to collect trash from land or water, with the Bluffton Paddle Club helping coordinate kayakers and boaters who want to clean from the river itself.

Mayor Larry Toomer captured what makes this event special. "The May River is the centerpiece of Bluffton, and these cleanups show how much this community cares about it," he said. "It's more than a cleanup; it's a community tradition and our way of thanking the river for all she brings to Bluffton."

The town provides everything volunteers need: gloves, safety vests, trash bags, coffee from Corner Perk, and snacks. After collecting litter, participants return to the park for hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by the police department and Growth Management Director Kevin Icard. Live music and educational tables from local environmental groups round out the morning.

New this year is the Quench Buggy, a 300-gallon mobile water refill station that lets volunteers bring reusable bottles instead of using disposable plastic. The addition reflects the town's commitment to making the cleanup itself more sustainable.

The Ripple Effect

Every cleanup turns Bluffton residents into citizen scientists. Volunteers track what types of litter they find, and that data goes into the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup database. Researchers use this information to identify where trash comes from and develop better prevention strategies.

The statewide impact is substantial. In 2024, over 3,200 volunteers from seven coastal counties covered nearly 294 miles and collected more than 27,700 pounds of trash from South Carolina's waterways. Each piece removed is one less item threatening fish, birds, and other wildlife or washing out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Partnership with i2 Recycle adds another layer of impact. Volunteers separate collected litter into two bags so recyclable materials can be sorted properly, giving trash a second life instead of ending up in landfills.

More than a dozen sponsors and partners make the event possible, from Palmetto Pride to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Their continued support shows how environmental stewardship brings diverse groups together around a common goal.

The cleanup demonstrates what happens when communities show up consistently for their natural spaces. Bluffton's 37 years of River Sweeps prove that protecting what matters doesn't require grand gestures, just neighbors willing to spend a Saturday morning caring for the river that shapes their home.

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