Free Our Shores Clean Beaches Week Celebration

On July 5th, 2022, 76 volunteers spent the day after 4th of July festivities cleaning up the debris that was left on Virginia Key by fireworks, picnickers and partying. This cleanup was hosted in collaboration with our partner organizations Miami Waterkeeper, Debris Free Oceans, and Compost for Life, in conjunction with Virginia Key Outdoor Center and with support from Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Bohemian Kitchen food truck was also available providing vegan and vegetarian options for volunteers. 530 pounds of trash were cleared from the beach and picnic areas, not including the overflowing trash cans that had yet to be emptied.

According to the park’s volunteer Program Coordinator, the dumpsters that the cans are emptied into were overflowing with trash from Independence Day and needed to be emptied before the cans could in turn be taken care of. Volunteers pulled banners and balloons from trees, disposed of broken and discarded beach umbrellas and chairs, and collected cans, bottles, and food containers. This cleanup was intentionally scheduled the day after one of the dirtiest days of the year and is during Clean Beaches Week, which is celebrated every year from July 1-7 in an effort to keep beaches clean and pristine for all during Independence Day celebrations.