Litter along Connecticut's coastline is not just an eyesore, it also poses a danger to human health and wildlife. Fortunately, our members have joined in force to pick up the pieces. We organize coastal cleanups in the spring and fall. Save the Sound had another successful turnout in 2011 for its Coastal Cleanup program. Throughout the year (including September's International Coastal Cleanup), 73 cleanup events brought together 2,655 volunteers who removed 29,210 pounds of trash from 54 miles of Connecticut waterfront.

Océ North America, a member of the Canon Group, is our 2011 Coastal Cleanup Sponsor. We thank Océ for helping keep our shoreline clean!

Big thanks to our friends at Barrett Outdoor Communications for this year's billboard and to Viridian and shoreline photographer Bob Lorenz for use of the donated photo. The vinyl material from the billboard will eventually be recycled into handbags by GG2G, with some sale proceeds going back to Save the Sound.

Save the Sound's Corporate Cleanup and Sponsorship programs offer a unique opportunity to Connecticut companies. If your place of business is looking for a community service project that benefits our environment, please contact Kierran today.

Thanks to our friends at Ecosmartplastics, Save the Sound's coastal cleanup volunteers will be using 100% biodegradable trash bags this year.

Long Island Sound Study and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation support our Coastal Cleanup program.

Coastal cleanups keep Connecticut beaches trash-free for visitors and help protect wildlife.

Get Involved

Think Global, Act Local!

Save the Sound is the Connecticut coordinator for Ocean Conservancy's annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), the largest volunteer effort of its kind. Over the last 25 years, the ICC has motivated almost 9 million people to remove over 144 million pounds of trash from nearly 300,000 miles of shoreline! The ICC takes place each September, but Save the Sound has volunteer opportunities throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

If you'd like to be a Captain for a Connecticut beach or riverfront, email Kierran to stake your claim. If you know of other sites that need help, please let us know.

Cleanup Captain Toolbox

Cleanup Captain Registration
Decomposition Rates Chart
Coastal Cleanup Manual

Check our Calendar section to find a cleanup near you.