International Coastal Cleanup

Time for another Phenomenal Friday Fact!

Over the past 25 years, 8,763,377 volunteers have cleaned up
291,514 miles of coastal land and waterways in 152 countries and locations
while participating in the Ocean Conservancy’s annual International Coastal Cleanup. Although the event is only one day each year, it is still the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health.

Volunteers have collected a whopping 166,144,420 total debris
items worldwide since the first event 25 years ago. This includes 52,907,756
cigarettes, 7,825,319 plastic bags, 1,248,892 balloons, and much more.

Not all items recovered are so ordinary! Some of the weirdest
finds include a whole toilet, a wedding dress, a family of crawdads living in a
purse, and even a grand piano!

Even though the 2011 International Coastal Cleanup has passed, you can still help! Grab a parent and host a Clean Seas Party.

Have you ever participated in a park or creek cleanup?