For the fifth consecutive year, Save The Bay is leading International Coastal Cleanup efforts in Rhode Island. International Coastal Cleanup is a global event uniting 800,000 volunteers to collect litter and debris from shorelines around the world. In Rhode Island, more than 2,500 volunteers are expected to lend a hand in cleanups across the state during the months of September and October.

"Every year, we are amazed by how many people care deeply about our shoreline, and are willing to say ‘It's not OK to trash the Bay,’” said Save The Bay Volunteer and Internship Manager July Lewis. “These community volunteers play a pivotal role in preserving shorelines for recreation and the health of our oceans. We’re always looking for more people to join the cleanup effort.”

Those interested in volunteering for a cleanup will find plenty of opportunities to help, as Save The Bay expects that as many as 85 cleanups will take place across the state on and around International Coastal Cleanup Day (Sept. 15). Local cleanup opportunities include:

• Tuesday, Sept. 11 (National Day of Service)
• – Salter Grove, Warwick, 2-4 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15
• – Riverview Beach, Warwick, 8:45-10 a.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15
• – Oakland Beach, Warwick, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Saturday, Sept. 15
• – Sandy Point, Warwick/East Greenwich, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 22
• – Conimicut Point, Warwick, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Saturday, Sept. 22
• – Warwick City Park, Warwick, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Saturday, Sept. 22
• – East Greenwich Boat Launch, East Greenwich, 4-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 23
• – Rocky Point, Warwick, 2-4 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 5
• – Goddard Park, Warwick, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Monday, Oct. 8
• – Longmeadow Fishing Area, Warwick, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 11
• – Tongue Pond, Cranston, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Saturday, Oct. 20
• – Stillhouse Cove, Cranston, 10 a.m. to Noon 

Interested volunteers can sign up for these cleanups, and others, at bit.ly/ICC-RI. Those looking to organize their own cleanup or those with questions should contact July Lewis at jlewis@savebay.org.

Last year in Rhode Island, 2,629 community members participated in 90 cleanups in 25 towns. The volunteers removed 16,484 pounds of trash and debris from along 65 miles of the state’s coastline.

The International Coastal Cleanup, organized globally by the Washington, D.C-based Ocean Conservancy, and locally by Save The Bay, removes coastal debris from around the world every year. Volunteers record the amount, type and location of trash removed from shorelines, and results are published in a global report that includes a state-and country-specific Ocean Trash Index. This data-rich report is a crucial reference for policy makers and environmental advocates around the world.

Rhode Island’s 2018 International Coastal Cleanup is supported by local businesses and corporations offering financial support and volunteer teams, including: National Grid; Citizens Bank; Bradford Soap Works; BayCoast Bank; Caster Communications, Inc.; Falvey Insurance Group; MetLife Auto & Home; American Chemistry Council; Allegra, Providence; and Strategic Retirement Partners. For more information about the International Coastal Cleanup, visit savebay.org/icc.