Trash on our beaches and in our waterways isn’t just unsightly – it’s also potentially dangerous to marine life and in some cases harmful to water quality. The annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup offers volunteers an opportunity to help make a difference for Delaware’s shoreline and waterways while joining an international effort to clean up the world’s waters.

The 2022 Coastal Cleanup

The 2022 Delaware Coastal Cleanup volunteers found only half as many plastic bags as in 2021. That, despite there being exactly twice as many volunteers — 1,180 — as the year before.

The volunteers collected nearly 6,250 pounds of trash. They filled over 400 trash bags at more than 40 sites statewide.

While the number of plastic bags fell, there were increases in some common items. The number of food wrappers found tripled to more than 4,850. The number of cigarette butts rose to nearly 12,300.

Join us for Delaware Coastal Cleanup 2023, and meantime, make every day a Coastal Cleanup Day to Keep DE Litter Free!

Help Keep Our Communities Clean

You can make a difference all year long.

Pick up trash near your home to keep your neighborhood clean.

Follow a carry-in/carry out plan and take all trash with you when visiting outdoor spaces, like Delaware State Parks, wildlife areas, and reserves, or county and local parks.

Pack a disposable bag and rubber gloves when you take a walk, go for a hike, go hunting or fishing, etc. to collect and carry out trash you find along the way.

Recycle applicable items through in-home recycling or designated drop-off locations. Learn more at de.gov/recycling.

Don’t forget to wear gloves when picking up trash. And wash your hands thoroughly after cleanup activities. And, as we make our way out of the COVID pandemic, please and follow all recent public health advice.

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