The KPB BeBot is Back for the Greatest American Cleanup
To kick off this year’s Greatest American Cleanup (GAC), Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB) is hosting a GAC BeBot Beach Tour, including a Leaders Against Litter cleanup, a Kids Can cleanup, and a TradeWinds cleanup from February 28th through March 8th. Volunteers will be able to clean up alongside the BeBot to make an impact on their local environment as we kick off the GAC!
The BeBot, beach-cleaning device
What is KPB’s BeBot?
The BeBot is a mechanical beach-cleaning machine that collects small debris at the sand’s surface level under the remote control of trained staff. It does not require fuel; it runs on a mix of solar and battery power.
The eco-friendly companion removes litter as small as 1cm2 like fragmented plastics and cigarette butts that might otherwise go unnoticed. Plastic marine debris destroys marine habitats, injures wildlife, affects human health and safety, and harms our economy. Over time, plastic breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastics, which have a devastating impact on the environment.
This new technology is a unique way to captivate beachgoers’ attention with an opportunity to educate them on litter prevention and waste reduction in honor of the Greatest American Cleanup.
Donated to Keep Florida Beautiful by Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Foundation, a charitable organization that maintains healthy Florida beaches, the BeBot serves as a teaching tool to work alongside cleanup volunteers. The BeBot’s purpose is not to replace volunteers but to visualize what debris is left behind on the beach.
What is the Greatest American Cleanup?
Keep America Beautiful defines the Great American Cleanup as the nation’s largest annual community improvement program in thousands of communities nationwide. This year, it is considered the “Greatest American Cleanup” in honor of America’s 250th celebration. Every year, from the beginning of March to the end of June, KPB proudly participates by hosting cleanups, invasive plant removals, and native species plantings throughout Pinellas County. Visit our website for an entire list of KPB’s GAC events!
Check Out the 3 Stops on the GAC BeBot Beach Tour!
February 28th, 2025: Bebot Beach Tour: Leaders Against Litter Cleanup @ John’s Pass Park
Come help us kick off the GAC on Friday, February 28th, at John's Pass Park in Madeira Beach by joining your community leaders and elected officials as we stand together to combat the issue of litter in Pinellas County.
March 1st, 2025: Bebot Beach Tour: Kids Can Cleanup @ Sand Key Park
Join KPB alongside Roots & Shoots of Tampa Bay as student volunteers assist with a beach cleanup with our KPB Bebot, play games to learn more about the prevalence of ocean litter and the impact it has on our marine environment, and create a craft on microplastics to take home with them. Please note that this event is designed for kids in grades K -5.
March 8th, 2025: Bebot Beach Tour: Monthly TradeWinds St. Pete Beach Cleanup
Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful and the TradeWinds Eco-Team for a cleanup on St. Pete Beach alongside BeBot. We hope to see you at our upcoming BeBot Beach Tour events. Join us to help clean up our county in the Greatest American Cleanup from March through June!
BeBot Demonstration
Thank you to our sponsors: Pinellas County, Keep America Beautiful, City of St. Petersburg, City of Clearwater, City of Largo, FDOT, Surfing's Evolution and Preservation Foundation, Waste Pro, Trademark Metals Recycling, Keep Florida Beautiful, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, and Chick-fil-a