In 2024, Surfrider Foundation volunteers worked to remove over 365,000 pounds of trash from U.S. beaches, according to the environmental organization’s annual Beach Cleanup Report released in July.
Volunteers collected 870,000 itemized pieces of trash last year, with 83% of those items being made of single-use plastic.
“Beach cleanups play a critical role in addressing the plastic pollution crisis,” explains Jenny Harrah, Surfrider’s Healthy Beaches Program manager. “They allow our volunteers to learn about the types of plastic that are found on our beaches and provide an entry point to learn more about the impacts of single-use plastics on our environment.”
Despite the volunteers’ efforts to clean beaches nationwide last year, Surfrider Foundation says there is still an immense amount of plastic pollution on America’s beaches. The organization created a national cleanup database to track cleanup-related data and provide a clear picture of what materials are polluting beaches and coastlines.
According to 2024 data, one-third of the items found in cleanups were plastic fragments, which can infiltrate coastal food systems and harm both wildlife and human health.
Surfrider Foundation says its Beach Cleanup program is supported by REEF and the Surf Industry Members Association through the Better Beach Alliance, which encourages all groups to participate in the shared goal of ending plastic pollution.
“Supporting Surfrider is REEF’s way of supporting stewardship of our coastal communities and ocean planet,” says Shea Perkins, senior marketing manager at REEF. “Our relationship with the Surfrider Foundation has been integral in striving to improve who we are and how we act as a brand.”
Vipe Desai, executive director of the Surf Industry Members Association, adds, “Coastal communities rely on clean beaches for their health, economy and way of life. We’re proud to support this effort and help amplify Surfrider Foundation’s ongoing impact to protect our oceans, waves and beaches.”
