Fighting for Trash Free Seas

We face many complex challenges when it comes to a clean and healthy ocean, but one problem is simple to understand: Trash. 

People know that trash in the water: 

• compromises the health of humans, wildlife and the livelihoods that depend on a healthy ocean;
• threatens tourism and recreation, and the critical dollars they adds to our local economies;
• complicates shipping and transportation by causing navigation hazards; and
• generates steep bills for retrieval and removal.

Unfortunately, what we see dirtying beaches and floating on the ocean’s surface is just the tip of the iceberg. Much more lies unseen beneath the surface and far away on the open water — but that doesn’t make it any less important.

That’s why Ocean Conservancy is taking bold action, working to stop the flow of trash at the source, before it has a chance to reach the water to choke and entangle dolphins or endanger sea turtles, or ruin our beaches and depress our local economies. 

We need your help to keep millions of pounds of trash from our oceans - your everyday choices can help keep it clean. 

A Movement for Trash Free Seas

Over the last 25 years, Ocean Conservancy has been bringing together passionate ocean lovers and helping them contribute to a vision for trash free seas.

• We mobilize the International Coastal Cleanup—the world’s largest volunteer effort to clean up waterways and the ocean. This year's Cleanup will take place on September 21, 2013.
• We research and share key details about what’s trashing our ocean with the public, the scientific community and decision makers.  
• We prevent trash from entering the waters by working with everyone from individuals to businesses to change the behaviors that cause ocean trash.

Everyone can play a role in the movement for trash free seas. Ocean Conservancy is leading the way with practical, pragmatic solutions that:

• Empower people. We lead a movement of people taking concrete actions every day to protect our ocean. We’re bringing useful tips to people on every street corner, creek bed and coastal waterway to empower them to stop the flow of trash before it hits our shores. 
• Strengthen the science. Ocean Conservancy is leading scientific work with business and academic partners to improve our knowledge of the ocean trash issue.
• Engage everyone in solutions. Ocean Conservancy is bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia through the Trash Free Seas Alliance to bring innovative solutions to the ocean trash issue. 
• Promote good policies. Ocean Conservancy built support for the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act and its companion bill in the Senate, the Trash Free Seas Act, to strengthen a national focus on marine debris. 

Help us turn the tide on ocean trash and achieve the vision of a healthy, vibrant ocean free of trash.