Clean Beaches, Clean Water

We have a profound stake in a healthy ocean that is free of trash and marine debris.

The ocean sustains us with the basic elements of life—it produces half of the oxygen in the air we breathe, and it is an essential part of the water cycle, helping to provide the water we drink.

The world’s beaches, the frontier of this essential resource, support ocean health. They provide habitat and nesting grounds for important ocean wildlife like sea turtles and sea birds, and they attract vacationers from around the world, helping to sustain complex coastal economies.

Whether we live on a beach or hundreds of miles from the coastline, we all have a profound stake in an ocean that is healthy and abundant.

Trash Free Seas

Ocean trash ranks as one of the most serious pollution problems of our time. Much more than an eyesore, trash in the water and on the shore affects the health of people, wildlife and economies. For example, trash in the water:

• injures swimmers and beachgoers;
• harms wildlife that eats it or get trapped in its mess;
• drives away tourists—and their wallets; and
• ensnares boat propellers, a costly navigation hazard.

The good news is we can prevent trashed beaches and debris-filled water. Ocean Conservancy has a vision of trash free seas, and we’ve been leading the way for more than 25 years.

Ocean Conservancy is creating a world of trash free seas by:

• Organizing and executing the International Coastal Cleanup®, the world’s largest volunteer effort to clean up our beaches and waterways, with partners around the globe.
• Publicizing data that help the public and the global science community better understand the problem of ocean trash.
• Creating innovative solutions to the ocean trash issue with leaders from the private, public and academic sectors.
• Building a movement to help inspire all of us to stop trash before it starts and live cleaner, healthier lives.

Join Ocean Conservancy in working every day with partners around the world to fulfill the vision of clean water and healthy beaches.