For Hometown News
STUART — Thousands of pieces of plastic, fishing line and other debris collect along Martin County’s shoreline, but volunteers will have a chance to turn the tide in a single morning.
Keep Martin Beautiful will coordinate the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19, bringing residents together to remove litter from local beaches, shorelines and waterways.
Last year, volunteers collected nearly 3,000 pieces of microplastic from Martin County’s shoreline during the event.
For more than three decades, Keep Martin Beautiful has served as the county’s local coordinator for the worldwide cleanup effort.
Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers, including individuals, families, businesses, youth groups and civic organizations, roll up their sleeves to remove litter from the shorelines. In addition to bottles and food packaging, volunteers collect cigarette butts, plastic foam fragments, discarded fishing line and microplastics.
The pollutants travel through storm drains and waterways, threatening marine life and damaging coastal habitats.
“Our beaches and waterways are at the heart of what makes Martin County such a special place to live,” said Tiffany Kincaid, Keep Martin Beautiful executive director. “The International Coastal Cleanup gives everyone an opportunity to make a real difference. In just one morning, volunteers can create a lasting impact while helping preserve these beautiful places for future generations.”
Volunteers are encouraged to register through the Keep Martin Beautiful website and download the free Clean Swell™ app before the event.
The app allows participants to record the litter they collect, providing data to Keep Martin Beautiful and the Ocean Conservancy. The information helps scientists identify pollution trends, guide conservation efforts and develop ways to reduce marine debris.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Whether participating for the first time or returning year after year, every volunteer helps protect Martin County’s coast and becomes part of one of the world’s largest volunteer efforts to keep oceans and waterways healthy.
Sponsors include WM, Martin County, Ashley Capital, Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, CSA Ocean Sciences, Lucido & Associates, Indian Riverkeeper, Ecological Associates, Coastal Waste & Recycling, The Guardians of Martin County, Jenkins Landscape, Live With Grace, Ram Real Estate, Solar Electric Power Company, the city of Stuart and the Firefly Group.
Keep Martin Beautiful is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994. Its programs include litter prevention, recycling promotion, beautification projects, the Great American Cleanup and Adopt-A-Road and Adopt-A-Street programs.
For information, registration or sponsorship opportunities, visit keepmartinbeautiful.org, call 772-781-1222 or email info@keepmartinbeautiful.org.