NATIONAL CLEAN BEACHES WEEK 2025

Celebrating National Clean Beaches Week

Every year from July 1–7, marinas and boating communities are invited to take part in National Clean Beaches Week, a campaign to promote shoreline stewardship, safeguard water quality, and engage guests in meaningful environmental action. With Independence Day celebrations underway, this initiative encourages everyone to leave beaches cleaner than they found them by combining public awareness with tangible cleanup activities. Integrating this effort into your marina’s summer programming reinforces your commitment to the environment and offers community-building opportunities that enhance guest satisfaction.

Participating in events like Clean Beaches Week serves multiple goals: it preserves wildlife habitat, reduces marine debris, and builds goodwill between your marina, local authorities, and guests. Here’s how operators can thoughtfully plan and implement efforts that dovetail with Independence Day festivities, enhance environmental compliance, and support the marina’s long-term ethos.

Understanding the Impact of Beach Cleanups

Beach litter—plastic bottles, microplastics like nurdles, food packaging, and cigarette butts—travels from land to water, affecting marine wildlife and human safety. Research confirms that volunteer cleanups substantially reduce shoreline contamination, decreasing pollution and supporting ecosystem health. Communities that routinely host cleanups also see economic gains; one study in Orange County, California estimated debris removal could add up to $42 per resident in summer tourism value. By organizing targeted events around Clean Beaches Week, marinas help preserve ecology while supporting marine recreation and business.

Planning a Shoreline Cleanup at Your Marina

To host a successful event during July 1–7, follow these practical steps:

1. Choose locations and dates
Consider high-visibility areas like docks or boat launch points, and schedule the cleanup before or after key holiday events to catch lingering trash from Fourth of July weekend (NOAA).

2. Form a coordinative team
A volunteer site leader should oversee check in, supply distribution, logistics, and safety throughout the event. The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) offers planning guidance and volunteer management tools.

3. Promote the initiative
Leverage email blasts, marina signage, and social media hashtags like #CleanBeachesWeek or #ProtectOurShores to recruit participants and highlight your event (National Geographic).

4. Gather supplies
Provide gloves, bags (for trash/recycling), pickers, and safety kits. Water, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer enhance comfort and participation (NOAA).

5. Plan disposal logistics
Coordinate with waste management services to sort litter, recyclables, and hazardous items separately. Some debris can be entered into citizen science databases like NOAA’s Marine Debris Tracker.

6. Capture and report results
Document collected debris, record volunteer hours, and share data on marina newsletters or environmental partners’ websites. Many Clean Beaches Week campaigns welcome event data to inform broader environmental advocacy (Clean Beaches Coalition).

7. Acknowledge contributions
Recognize volunteers publicly and encourage ongoing engagement through Clean Marina Program resources.
Integrating Clean Beaches Week into Marina Operations

Integrating Clean Beaches Week into Marina Operations

Here are additional ways your marina can respond this week:

Install shoreline signage
Share eco-tips like “Pack In, Pack Out,” “Leave Only Footprints,” or “Recycle Your Plastics.” These principles remain relevant long after the event and underline your ongoing dedication.
Provide refill and recycling stations
Offer filtered water and recycling bins to reduce plastic waste from food trucks and marina shops—policies aligned with Clean Marina Program best practices.
Launch a kayaker trash patrol
Paddle teams can clean slips and shorelines where boots can’t reach. These smaller crews are efficient and spotlight green leadership.
Run mascot-driven educational events
Include emoji art, kids’ crafts, or paddle poster-making contests to drive awareness—especially effective during July 4 dockside activities.
Include environmental language in rentals
Add eco-reminders to rental agreements—“Return Paddles Clean,” “Dispose of Waste Responsibly”—creating an expectation of green stewardship among users.
Connect guests to broader programs
Spotlight national resources like the Clean Beaches Coalition or Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup to reinforce local action as part of global efforts.

Highlighting Long-Term Environmental Benefits

Clean Beaches Week marks only the beginning. Continued benefits include:

Wildlife protection: Keeping plastics and microplastics off your docks prevents ingestion by seabirds, turtles, and fish—and reduces health risks for humans.
Boosting marina reputation: Many guests value eco-friendly operations, making Clean Beaches Week an opportunity to highlight your facility’s commitment—and potentially qualify for Clean Marina accreditation.
Saving operational costs: Regular pollution control reduces costly punctures, pumpout maintenance, and insurance claims related to contamination.
Fostering health and well-being: Studies show beach volunteers experience improved well-being, community connection, and environmental awareness.

Setting Marina-Wide Sustainability Initiatives

Use Clean Beaches Week as a catalyst for year-round upgrades:

Conduct a waste audit to detect leakage from fuel dock or maintenance areas.
Install a permanent recycling drop-off near boat service centers.
Evaluate hazardous disposal protocols (e.g., paint, oil, batteries), and upgrade to meet Clean Marina standards.
Update employee training documents to include beach cleanup procedures, spill response best practices, and environmental complaint tracking.
Schedule quarterly community volunteer days, not just in July—these support ongoing care and deepen relationships with local environmental groups.

Framing as a Feature, Not Task

When posted in newsletters, on social media, or included during check-in, present your Clean Beaches Week event as a marina experience:

“Start our July 4 weekend by joining our family-friendly shoreline cleanup—trash bags & refreshments provided!”

Positioning this as a celebration fosters a feel-good environment and encourages broader participation than a standard volunteer event.

National Clean Beaches Week offers a perfect opportunity for marinas to demonstrate environmental leadership, engage guests in meaningful action, and align facilities with national stewardship goals. By orchestrating well-organized cleanups, educational touchpoints, and sustainable upgrades, your marina can foster both ecological protection and community pride—while building reputational and operational value that endures long after July 7.

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About MariCorp

Maricorp is one of the largest floating boat dock manufacturing and construction companies in the United States, specializing in galvanized steel floating docks and boat lift systems. With projects spanning coast-to-coast, Maricorp provides marina consultation and design, marine construction, marina repair and renovation, and boat dock disaster response and demolition.