Every September, thousands of people come together on beaches, rivers, lagoons, and coastal areas across Portugal for one of Europe’s largest environmental mobilisations: International Coastal Clean-Up Day. The initiative is led by Oceano Azul Foundation in partnership with the European Commission and the European Parliament, as part of the European campaign #EUBeachCleanup.
This global initiative takes place annually on the third Saturday of September, raising awareness on marine litter and involving civil society organisations, municipalities, schools, diving centres, companies, and citizens. By promoting local actions with global impact, the campaign highlights the ongoing work of hundreds of organisations dedicated year-round to the protection and conservation of the ocean.
A growing mobilisation for ocean protection
2019
+2,300 volunteers
65 actions
80 km cleaned
13 tonnes of marine litter collected
2020
+3,600 volunteers
166 actions
187 km cleaned
29 tonnes of marine litter collected
2021
+4,500 volunteers
174 actions
172 km cleaned
31 tonnes of marine litter collected
2022
+8,200 volunteers
204 actions
203 km cleaned
49.5 tonnes of marine litter collected
2023
+10,000 volunteers
262 actions
154 km cleaned
38.8 tonnes of marine litter collected
2024
+8,000 volunteers
230 actions
155 km cleaned
48 tonnes of marine litter collected
2025
+4,000 volunteers 135 actions +100 km cleaned 23 tonnes of marine litter collected
Since its creation, International Coastal Clean-Up Day has become a leading environmental mobilisation in Portugal, with hundreds of actions from north to south, including the Azores and Madeira.
In seven editions, the initiative has mobilised:
- +400 organisations
- +40,000 volunteers
- +1,200 clean-up actions
- +1,000 km cleaned
- +230 tonnes of litter collected
A testament to the power of collective action – turning local efforts into a national movement for ocean protection.
Flagship clean-up action I 2023 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ MindCut
Flagship clean-up action I 2023 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ MindCut
Flagship clean-up action I 2023 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ MindCut
Flagship clean-up action I 2023 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
Clean-up action with local community, south of Portugal I 2022 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
Clean-up action with local community, south of Portugal I 2022 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
2025 | Santa Maria, Azores
This year, the initiative ran from 20 to 28 September, with the flagship action of International Coastal Clean-Up Day taking place on 20 September on the island of Santa Maria. Organised by EBS de Santa Maria and other local organisations, the event actively involved the island’s community in protecting the ocean and promoting the RAMPA – Network of Marine Protected Areas of the Azores.
Partners
