Alabama’s largest one-day volunteer event is set to return for its 31st year on Saturday, September 15, as organizers of the Alabama Coastal Cleanup call for volunteers to help clear trash and debris from more than 30 coastal sites across Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The cleanup will run from 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, with volunteers needed on foot, on the water and stationed at collection zones to help sort recyclable plastics and aluminum cans. Organizers say the effort typically draws more than 4,000 volunteers each year to work along South Alabama’s beaches, bayous and waterways.
This year’s cleanup marks the second year the event has partnered with Earth Resources Recycling to process bottles and cans collected from the various zones. State Coordinator Angela Underwood said the partnership reflects a growing awareness of how litter affects marine life and natural resources along the coast.
“Understanding the harmful effects of marine debris in the environment, and our dwindling resources, we are happy to offer recycling options to our volunteers for the second year,” Underwood said. She added that participants are being asked to bring their own reusable water bottles to help cut down on plastic waste, though bottled water will still be available in limited quantities.
Volunteers who take part will receive a T-shirt and basic cleanup supplies. Anyone interested in joining the effort, finding a zone captain, or signing up ahead of time can visit AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com or call (251) 928-9792. Updates are also shared on the Alabama Coastal Cleanup Facebook page.
The event is coordinated locally through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources along with Alabama People Against a Littered State, commonly known as PALS. It is part of the broader International Coastal Cleanup, a global effort to remove debris from coastal waters that Alabama first joined in 1987. The International Coastal Cleanup is recognized as the largest single-day volunteer event dedicated to protecting the marine environment.
This year’s cleanup is made possible through the continued support of title sponsor the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, along with a long list of returning sponsors that includes NOAA, the Original Oyster House, Alabama Power Company, LuLu’s, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Baldwin EMC, Flora-Bama, The Home Depot and several other regional businesses and organizations.
Organizers are asking participants to keep a few safety tips in mind while working along the shoreline: drink plenty of fluids and bring a reusable water bottle, wear sunscreen, a hat and comfortable shoes, keep children supervised at all times, and use caution around sand dunes and other fragile ecosystems. Volunteers are also asked not to attempt to move heavy or hazardous items themselves, and instead mark the location and notify their zone captain.
For more information, residents can contact Angela Underwood with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at (251) 928-9792, or Spencer Ryan with Alabama PALS at (334) 263-7737.