Every year thousands of volunteers across the state come together to clean up the coast through the COASTSWEEP initiative.

The beach cleanup is back this fall, beginning on Saturday, Sept. 21 and continuing until early November. The next Dartmouth COASTSWEEP cleanup will be at 10 a.m. on Oct. 19 at Demarest Lloyd Park, located at 115 Barneys Joy Road.

COASTSWEEP is part of the International Coastal Cleanup and draws hundreds of thousands of volunteers to coastal cleanups in 120 countries worldwide. Volunteers remove trash and also tally the items found.

During COASTSWEEP 2023, more than 3,000 volunteers removed over 23 tons of trash from 165 sites. 63,517 pieces of marine debris were collected along the Massachusetts shorelines, according to the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management.

The tallied information will be entered into Ocean Conservancy’s international marine debris database to help researchers and policymakers better understand the sources of global marine debris and develop solutions for prevention.

“Taking part in the COASTSWEEP cleanup is a meaningful way to demonstrate our commitment to preserving the Massachusetts coast and ensuring they remain clean and inviting for all,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper.

To get involved in COASTSWEEP 2024, individuals can organize a cleanup. All supplies, including bags, gloves, data cards and pencils are provided for free. The cleanup can be scheduled at the individual’s convenience.

To organize or join a cleanup, check out the COASTSWEEP website or email coastsweep@mass.gov.

For more information, contact Anne Donovan at anne.donovan@mass.gov or by phone at 617-890-9140.