Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or a lifelong beach bum, protecting the coastline is something we can all get behind. Coming up with good beach cleanup ideas is more than just a good deed. These events are a powerful way to preserve marine life, keep our beaches beautiful, and bring communities together.
So, beyond reducing waste and helping to maintain a better environment for all your favorite ocean activities like swimming, surfing, and sunning, what does a beach cleanup entail? Anyone can participate in environmentally friendly activities, and we want to give you some of our favorite ideas that families, college students, and any individual can all enjoy.
If you’re looking to make a difference, here are 10 unique beach cleanup ideas to inspire your next coastal cleanup day.
1. Themed Cleanup Days
Add a fun twist with a theme! Think pirate outfits, retro beachwear, or even Halloween costumes. Not only does it draw a crowd, but it also makes for great photo ops to help spread the word.
These are the kind of community events that cause a stir…making waves, as some might say.
So, crank up the music, create a fun flyer with your theme, and get to cleaning!
2. Sunrise or Sunset Sessions
Schedule your cleanup during golden hour for cooler temps and better lighting. It’s a peaceful way to start or end the day… and it draws in a different crowd than you may see midday.
Many people prefer the peace of a beach early in the morning, or once the crowds have died down for the day.
This is also a good way to enhance your beach cleanup photos. It may sound silly, but the more that your event is shared online, the more well-aware others will be when it is time for your next eco-friendly happening.
3. Family-Friendly Cleanup Picnics
Turn cleanup into a family affair.
Bring reusable containers, games, and snacks for a post-cleanup picnic. It’s a great way to teach kids about sustainability while having fun.
Who knows, maybe they’ll even end up with a silly souvenir to commemorate your day. One person’s trash is another’s treasure, after all.
4. Trash-for-Treats Challenge
Partner with local cafes or businesses to reward volunteers with free coffee, smoothies, or snacks for every bag of trash they collect.
The idea of saving money tends to keep everyone motivated, and this allows you to directly highlight other members of your community while treating those who come out and help complete your cleanup day.
5. Beach Cleanup + Yoga
After an hour of cleaning up, stretch it out with a group yoga session on the sand. It’s relaxing, eco-conscious, and community-building all in one.
Participants can take a well-deserved break to be mindful of the marine pollution that they helped combat while enjoying the peaceful nature of doing yoga by the sea.
6. Surf & Sweep Events
Great for surf towns—combine a surf session with a 30-minute beach cleanup.
Get the surf community involved in protecting the playground they love most. After all, those who are used to hanging out with the fish day in and day out are likely to get involved to help protect the wildlife they spend so much time among.
7. Eco-Friendly Fun: Scavenger Hunt
Go beyond big trash. Challenge volunteers to find smaller items like cigarette butts and bottle caps.
These items are often the easiest to overlook but do the most harm to wildlife.
8. Educational Beach Walks
Partner with a local marine biologist or eco-educator to lead a walk, share insights on marine life, and explain how pollution is one of many things that affect the ecosystem.
Not only will this kind of event make people more aware of the ocean environment, but it will also create some hope when participants get to hear about the direct action they can take to help make a real difference.
9. DIY Cleanup Kits
Encourage individuals to do solo cleanups by creating and distributing mini kits with gloves, a small bag, and instructions.
This is perfect for tourists who won’t be in the area for long or introverts who want to help without joining a group event.
10. Cleanup + Art Projects
Collect trash with a purpose. Use materials found on your cleanup to create eco-art or sculpture displays to raise awareness in public spaces or schools.
A great way to engage children and adults alike, art is the best way to make something new out of recycled material.
Tips for Hosting or Joining a Beach Cleanup
- Always bring reusable gloves and bags
- Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen
- Sort recyclable vs. non-recyclable items
- Share your efforts on social media to inspire others
- Bring a towel to dry off, lounge in the sand, or protect your shoulders from the sun even extra
Grab Your Beach Bags & Help Keep Wrightsville Beach Clean
Every piece of litter removed from the beach is a win for local wildlife, marine ecosystems, and our community. Whether you join an organized group or do a 10-minute solo cleanup during your morning walk, your actions matter.
In fact, Beach Sherpa is hosting our first official beach cleanup day on Wrightsville Beach this Sunday, May 18th from 10:30 am – 12 pm. If you’re local and want to come hang out, meet us at the Johnnie Mercer Parking Lot. We’ll have water, snacks, gear, and even some Sherps swag for you to bring home.
So grab your friends, your sunscreen, and your sense of purpose and let’s clean up our coasts!
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