A vintage photograph of a couple performing a beach cleanup using galvanized buckets

When we first began cleanups, it was mostly tin cans, beer and soda pull tabs, bottle caps, and broken glass – this eventually gave way to aluminum and Styrofoam – and now it is almost exclusively single-use plastics and microplastics. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ThrowbackThursday #CoastalCleanups

Weary coastal cleanup volunteer

There is something sacred about the ocean; we have roughly the same percentage of salt and water in our bodies as the sea. It is in the sweat of our efforts and the tears of our disappointments. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups

Aerial of Beach Cleanup Volunteers at Shangrila Beach

We love the ocean and love participating in coastal cleanups. They both make you feel small, but not in a negative way; small because you realize you are part of something much larger. Mahalo Everyone! #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups

Ghost net recovery from Zodia boat

Ghost net in the mangroves

Ghost net removal from a coral reef

Our cleanups also include ghost net recovery in coral, mangroves, and adjacent coastal waters; recovering abandoned fishing nets above and below the water restores marine ecosystems and saves marine life. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups

Clean-up crew on the beach at night with red flashlights

Nighttime clean up

Sea turtle returning to the sea illuminated by red flashlight

Wet Tribe members and volunteers are ‘shell-abrating’ sea turtle nesting season by patrolling the beaches. Clean, dark, and quiet are ideal conditions for sea turtle moms and their hatchlings. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups #TurtleTuesday

Secondary microplastics in the sand

Within a year of clean-ups removing bags, bottles, and other large plastic litter from the shore, our research found a 98% reduction in secondary microplastics on that shore and surrounding ocean waters. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups #OceanPlastic

Nearly 70% of the items collected were unrecyclable. 40% of the litter collected was “tiny trash” - litter measuring less than 2.5 centimeters. Mostly made up of microplastics - plastics measuring less than 5mm. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups #Saturday #2024Audit

Filling a bag with single-use plastic debris

The most common items collected during coastal cleanups continue to be cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and food wrappers, grocery bags, and plastic straws. More than 80% of coastal trash is plastic. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups #Saturday #2024Audit

Coastal cleanup in progress

In 2024, over 24 million pounds of trash were removed from the world's oceans and waterways, and 78,744 pounds were removed from beaches and coastlines. Over 5,000 pounds by us here in the U.S. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanups #Saturday #2024Audit

Within a year of consistent beach clean-ups, removing bags, bottles, and other large plastic litter from the shore, our research found a 99% reduction in secondary microplastics on that shore and in surrounding ocean waters. #CoastalCleanups