VolunteerCleanup.org

VolunteerCleanup.Org is a Miami-based 501(c)(3) organization building a grassroots movement to address the marine debris crisis by providing tools that connect people, facilitate educational cleanups and drive meaningful change around single-use plastics. 

We are not just a beach cleanup organization — we are a community-building technology platform (think Eventbrite, but for cleanups). Our tools connect thousands of volunteers and organizers together, and we provide the supplies and educational resources to help our organizers lead fun, impactful and educational cleanups that ultimately empower individuals to take meaningful action against single-use plastics in their own lives and workplaces.

Together, our community has led over 5,800 cleanups, engaging 37,000 volunteers who have removed more than 1,364,500 pounds of debris from Miami’s shorelines and neighborhoods. But more importantly, our efforts have inspired countless lifestyle and policy changes that reduce waste at its source.

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OUR PROGRAMS

• VolunteerCleanup.Org platform - A free event management tool (like Eventbrite) that connects cleanup organizers and volunteers. We provide educational and material support to ensure every cleanup delivers both immediate environmental impact and long-term behavior changes for participants.
• Trashathon.org fundraising platform - Trashathon is an innovative twist on the classic “a-thon” fundraisers, where participants solicit pledges for litter removal from neighborhoods or shorelines to raise money for their group or project (i.e. water bottle refills, class trips, funding non-profits), while also spreading awareness of the marine debris crisis and solutions. Our fundraising platform helps groups by managing the pledges and donations.
• International Coastal Cleanup Day - As the Ocean Conservancy’s local partner, we coordinate Miami-Dade’s ICC each September. In 2026, we coordinated 74 cleanups where 3,900+ volunteers removed 26,000+ pounds of debris in one day. Our program is the 3rd largest program in the United States! The real impact goes beyond the cleanups. Post-event surveys show participants’ environmental knowledge jumped from an average of 3.4 to 4.2, and 96% said they’re inspired to do more to protect our planet. These cleanups don’t just remove trash — they transform awareness, build community, and spark lasting change.
• Corporate Days of Service - We design educational, fun, and high-impact private cleanups that strengthen teams and inspire companies to reduce waste and rethink single-use plastics.
• Policy & Advocacy - We collaborate with local governments to improve waste infrastructure, stormwater maintenance, and plastic reduction policies — ensuring that prevention complements cleanups. Our activation and advocacy has made direct structural changes that are reducing the input going into our waterways.