• A signed waiver. All volunteers must have a signed waiver. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian's signature as well. You have three options:

  1. Complete the digital waiver online with the Coastal Commission using the DocuSign links below. 2024 Coming Soon!

     • English Waiver

     • Spanish Waiver

  2. Download and print the waiver at the link below and bring it with you on cleanup day.

     • Download Waiver in English or Spanish

  3. If you are not able to complete a waiver ahead of time, site captains will have them available at each site.  

• A bucket or reusable bag *

• Gloves (gardening or leather work gloves) *

• Reusable water bottle *

• Optional: Clipboard, which might be helpful for you when filling out your Data Card. You can make data collection easier by downloading the CleanSwell app on your mobile device.

• Optional: Pack a waste-free lunch! Most events end by noon, which is the perfect time to enjoy lunch by a creek or in a park!

Bring Your Own * and help us cut down on the trash that we create at the Cleanup! To find out more about our efforts to reduce waste, visit the California Coastal Commission's BYO page

• Closed-toed shoes

• Sunscreen

• A hat

• An extra layer like a sweater or jacket in case it is cold. Be prepared to be outside in potentially changing weather for at least half a day.

Everyone can participate in Coastal Cleanup Day, no matter what age or ability. Individuals with questions about accessibility should contact their City Coordinator to find the best cleanup site.

Try to arrive at an event a little before 9 AM to get ready for the cleanup and to have a big impact!

Each cleanup site will be headed up by one or more Site Captains who will be in charge of everything at that location for the day. Once you arrive, seek out your Site Captain and follow their instructions for checking in and getting set for the cleanup.

All the supplies you need will be waiting for you at the site: trash and recycling bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, and waivers, to start. Please help us reduce waste generated at each cleanup by Bringing Your Own reusable cleanup supplies, like a bucket or bag and work gloves, from home. Help conserve paper by downloading the CleanSwell app on your iPhone or Android mobile device.

Each volunteer will need to bring or sign a liability waiver before they can start the cleanup. You can save yourself some check-in time if you bring a signed waiver from home.

Once you sign your waiver, the Site Captain or another volunteer will provide a brief safety talk. After this, and once your supplies are in hand, start your cleaning!

Clean up every piece of human-created trash you can find, no matter how small! Scour the water line or areas near sea walls for hidden stashes of litter. Please leave all naturally occurring material (seaweed, driftwood, rocks, feathers, and shells) in place - it provides a valuable food source and habitat for a multitude of animals.

Keep track of everything you pick up using the data card (supplied at the Cleanup) or CleanSwell app. This data is a critical part of the cleanup - it's our only chance each year to get a snapshot of what is littering our coast, inland waterways, and ocean. This information is used by educators and policy makers to help combat marine debris over the long term. Help us by taking part in the world's largest data collection event!

At the designated time, bring your bags or buckets back to the location the Site Captain has designated for depositing your trash and recyclables.

Take a moment to look out at your cleanup site and appreciate how much cleaner, healthier, and nicer it is. Congratulate yourself on a job well done, and thank yourself and your fellow volunteers for helping to protect our coast and ocean--we certainly do!