Volunteers pulled plastic litter and bottle caps from the waterline near Aventura's bay on Saturday, Sept. 19, as nearly 4,000 people cleaned 75 sites across Miami-Dade County. Together they hauled more than 26,000 pounds of trash off shorelines and out of Biscayne Bay.

The Aventura bay site was one of 75 locations in the 41st International Coastal Cleanup, the largest single-day environmental community service event in Miami and the third-largest cleanup in the country, as first reported by WPLG Local 10. Each site was led by community leaders, nonprofits or government agencies.

Organizers describe a countywide effort

Sophie Ringel, executive director of Clean Miami Beach, said the bay site collected 4,000 pounds of trash during the 2025 cleanup alone. "Last year we picked up 4,000 pounds of trash right here next to the bay which is so shocking and sad," Ringel said. "But it's also good that we're getting the community together ... setting an example of how to do better."

Dave Doebler, executive director of Key Biscayne-based VolunteerCleanup.org, coordinated the countywide effort. He reported from the Julia Tuttle Causeway, another of the 75 sites, and said the cleanups stretched from Aventura to Homestead.

Turnout grows from last year

The 2026 turnout grew from the previous year. VolunteerCleanup.org's 2025 results listed more than 3,000 volunteers across 68 sites. This year's count of nearly 4,000 volunteers and 75 sites marks a clear increase, though the trash totals are harder to compare because the 2025 figures vary between sources.

County plans target waste and runoff

Plastic pollution remains a central concern. A study by Florida International University estimates 18 billion microplastics pollute Biscayne Bay, according to WPLG Local 10.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava attended the cleanup and pointed to the county's Zero Waste Master Plan, unveiled July 31. The plan includes more than 30 strategies targeting the roughly 5 million tons of waste the county generates each year, according to the county. Miami-Dade is also advancing a Stormwater Master Plan aimed at filtering runoff before it reaches the coast.

The global cleanup, launched in 1986 by Ocean Conservancy, now spans 110 countries. In Miami-Dade, the volunteer rallying cry was simple: "Don't Trash Our Treasure."

Residents interested in future cleanups can check VolunteerCleanup.org for updates on upcoming events.