This past weekend, more than 300 volunteers came together across Sanibel and Captiva for the Ocean Conservancy’s 41st annual International Coastal Cleanup, joining people around the world in the fight against ocean pollution.

“Year after year, our island community continues to amaze me with the way you show up and take action,” said Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau. “Whether you joined with a company, organization, family or simply came out on your own, every piece of trash collected made a difference. We couldn’t have filled an entire dumpster without you!”

And it wasn’t just about what we picked up; it was also about what we learned. Cleanup participants documented the types of debris they picked up, giving us a snapshot of the pollution making its way into our coastal ecosystems.

Here’s what they found: 

• 92% found trash smaller than one inch – a reminder that the little things add up! 
• 80% encountered cigarette butts.
• 64% found fishing-related debris, including monofilament, crab traps, and buoys.

From large debris to small microplastics, each piece of trash contributes to a cleaner and plastic-free future for our oceans. 

A huge thank you also goes out to the cleanup sponsors for helping make this day possible. 

Bank of the Islands once again took the lead in sponsoring the cleanup by providing this year’s volunteer T-shirts! 

Bones Coffee served once again as the Energy Sponsor, providing coffee before the cleanup to fuel this volunteer event. 

And new this year, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club helped us celebrate a job well done by providing an ice cream social for volunteers after the cleanup.

To our sponsors and volunteers, we want to thank you for stepping up and being part of the solution!