Wave Goodbye to Litter: Join Keep Martin Beautiful for the International Coastal Cleanup
Stuart, Fla. – Last year, volunteers removed nearly 3,000 pieces of microplastic from Martin County’s shoreline in a single morning. On Saturday, Sept. 19, our community will once again join hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the globe for the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup, removing litter from beaches, shorelines and waterways.
For more than three decades, Keep Martin Beautiful has proudly served as Martin County's local coordinator of this worldwide initiative, bringing together residents of all ages to care for the coastal places that define our community.
Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers, including individuals, families, businesses, youth groups, and civic organizations, roll up their sleeves to remove litter from our shorelines. While larger items like bottles and food packaging are common, volunteers also collect thousands of smaller, often overlooked pieces of debris, including cigarette butts, plastic foam fragments, discarded fishing line and microplastics. These pollutants travel through storm drains and waterways, threatening marine life and damaging fragile coastal habitats.
"Our beaches and waterways are at the heart of what makes Martin County such a special place to live," said Keep Martin Beautiful Executive Director Tiffany Kincaid. "The International Coastal Cleanup gives everyone an opportunity to make a real difference. In just one morning, volunteers can create a lasting impact while helping preserve these beautiful places for future generations."
Volunteers are encouraged to register on the Keep Martin Beautiful website and download the free CleanSwell™ app before the event. The app makes it easy for volunteers to record the litter they collect, providing valuable data to Keep Martin Beautiful and the Ocean Conservancy. The data helps scientists identify pollution trends, guide conservation efforts and develop solutions to reduce marine debris around the world.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Whether you are joining for the first time or returning year after year, every volunteer helps protect Martin County's coast and becomes part of one of the world's largest volunteer efforts to keep our oceans and waterways healthy.
Keep Martin Beautiful thanks the following sponsors for making the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup: WM, Martin County, Ashley Capital, Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, CSA Ocean Sciences, Lucido & Associates, Indian Riverkeeper, Ecological Associates, Coastal Waste & Recycling, The Guardians of Martin County, Jenkins Landscape, Live With Grace, Ram Real Estate, Solar Electric Power Company, City of Stuart and the Firefly Group.
For more information, to register or sponsor, visit keepmartinbeautiful.org or contact Keep Martin Beautiful at 772-781-1222 or info@keepmartinbeautiful.org.
About Keep Martin Beautiful
Keep Martin Beautiful (KMB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization founded in 1994 as an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Martin County through litter prevention, the promotion of recycling, improvement of solid waste management practices, and beautification and community revitalization activities. KMB signature events and programs include the Environmental Stewardship Awards, the International Coastal Cleanup, the Great American Cleanup, the Adopt-A-Road and Adopt-A-Street programs, as well as other educational and outreach activities. Find KMB on Facebook at facebook.com/KeepMartinBeautiful, follow KMB on Twitter at twitter.com/KMBmartin, visit KeepMartinBeautiful.org or call 772-781-1222.