The ICC: 2020 Edition

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The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) happens across the world every autumn. This Ocean Conservancy event brings together volunteers in coastal regions to collect, count, and document the trash they find, acting as citizen scientists all over the world. The Ocean Conservancy then uses this data to study marine debris and release a yearly report detailing the most common types of trash found in coastal areas, the total weight of trash collected, and much more.

What to Expect

This year, Keep Pinellas Beautiful will be partnering with the Ocean Conservancy to host the 35th Annual ICC during the month of October. We love this event because it gives our participants the chance to become citizen scientists, and this year it’s all about grassroots efforts by volunteers like you. 

Along with reporting the weight of your trash and the miles you improved, you also get to assist with the Ocean Conservancy’s international effort to study the debris in our marine systems. As you catalog and count the trash you find you’re helping protect Pinellas County’s valuable habitat and contributing to a large research project dedicated to understanding marine debris all over the world.

How You Can Get Involved

Businesses and Community Groups

KPB is currently working with businesses and community groups to arrange small, closed cleanups throughout the county that fit within CDC, State, and County guidelines for safety. If you’d like to get your team out for an ICC cleanup, email Stephanie Lawler-Ellington directly.

Individuals and Family Groups

#PickUpPinellas was so much fun we’ve decided to make it a KPB staple. Because it’s complicated getting people out in large groups right now, engaging individuals at the grassroots level has become an essential component in keeping our county litter-free. Register here to reserve a spot for your individual or small group cleanup. After that, KPB staff will help you with supplies and data reporting.

Adoptions

Our current adoptees can participate, too! You do not need to clean a shoreline to participate; any cleanup you do during the month of October at your current adoption site will count towards our ICC data. All you need are the forms for counting your trash, which we will provide. For those interested in a more permanent cleanup opportunity at a specific site (such as a roadway or community), consider joining our Adoption Program. This is a great time to start a new adoption with a bang!

However you choose to participate, we love seeing your photos, so please share the success of your cleanup with us on social media! Tag us @KeepPinellasBeautiful on Facebook and Instagram and use the hashtag #PickUpPinellas.

Why Is This Important?

Even without our big cleanups this year, it’s essential that we work together to keep Pinellas County clean. Every small cleanup each of you hosts or participates in helps keep litter from becoming marine debris, entangling and endangering animals, or breaking down in to microplastics. All these small changes add up to a big impact, one we could not achieve without our volunteers.