International Coastal Cleanup
Beach cleanups that count every item.
Monthly cleanups all year, plus International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day every September.
- When
- MonthlyAll year.
- ICC Day
- SeptemberMany beaches, one morning.
- Start
- DawnTwo to three hours.
- The tally
- 44 categoriesEvery item counted.
The method
Why we count
We record every item against 44 standard categories used worldwide, so each beach can be compared year on year and with beaches elsewhere.
Counts show where the litter comes from.
Totals and method: impact.
What to expect
How a morning runs
- Dawn startBring water and covered shoes. Two to three hours.
- Briefing and zonesEach group gets a trained captain and its own stretch.
- Call as you cleanOne person per group logs each item on a phone. Works offline.
- Weigh everythingAll litter is weighed at the collection point.
- Certificates for attendeesIssued on check-in at the meeting point.
In nesting season
December to March, cleanups follow the field code: keep off marked nests, no vehicles on the sand, and the group moves if a nest is found.
Schools and companies
Bringing a team
From your side
- Water
- An accurate headcount two weeks ahead
- You get
- Your site’s numbers by category, and certificates for those who attend. Companies: see collaborate with us.
- Rules
- No branded single-use giveaways. No vehicles on the sand.
- Contact
- cleanbeach@saveaturtle.in
Once a year
The September cleanup
One morning in September, many beaches at once, each with a captain. Our largest event. First-timers welcome.
Registration, beach allocation, team leaderboards, check-in and certificates all run on our own platform, and work offline.
Other ways to join
Turtle Walk
Guided night walks on nesting beaches, December to March.
Hatchling Farewell
Watch the hatchlings reach the sea at 5 pm.
Sand Sculpting
Turtles in sand, built by teams on the Chennai shore.
Awareness Sessions
Schools, colleges, corporates, fisher communities. We come to you.
Schools, colleges and companies
Bring a team to a cleanup
One morning on a beach, with every item counted.