Coastal Cleanups

Uniting to Confront Marine Debris

One of the greatest threats to our planet is marine debris. Marine debris impacts our human health, tourism economy, water quality, and wildlife. It’s estimated that 80% of marine debris comes from land-based sources, so tackling our plastic pollution problem begins with us!

How long does trash stick around before it breaks down?

Ever wondered how long certain products and materials last? Discover the lifespan of common household items below – the results may surprise you.

Toilet Paper

One Month

Cardboard

Two Months

Cigarettes

10 Years

Diapers

450 Years

Some Plastics

Never

Plastics never break down fully. They break down into micro-plastics which continue to persist in the enviroment, contributing to plastic polution the naked eye is unable to see.

Seagull standing on a sandy beach holding a plastic cup in its beak with the ocean in the background.

How can you make an impact?

As a community deeply rooted in our love for the water, let’s work together to combat marine debris. Here are some ways to directly contribute to a healthier environment.

Refuse

Unnecessary single-use items, like plastic water bottles, grocery bags, straws, or cutlery.

A teal bag with a white recycling symbol and the words 're-use' written underneath, surrounded by fallen autumn leaves and a small pine cone on a beige woven fabric.

Recycle

Properly by following your city’s guidelines.

Two young women wading in a river, one wearing blue shorts and holding a black bag, the other wearing a white shirt and orange safety vest, surrounded by green trees, with ducks swimming nearby.

Get Involved

And engage your family and friends to participate in local cleanups.

A seagull standing on the beach at sunset with the ocean and a colorful sky in the background.

Vote

For candidates that implement policy to protect our environment.

Various pieces of debris, including small containers, a piece of yellow material, a piece of black material, white and blue objects, and a small orange container with liquid, all scattered on a surface.

Reduce

The waste you produce.

Three wooden utensils (a serrated knife, a fork, and a spoon) resting on a folded napkin, with a shell, a round seashell, and a small branch of dried flowers nearby on a white surface.

Reuse

Items when you can, rather than purchasing disposables.

A discarded plastic water bottle lying among debris on a beach, with water and distant land visible in the background.

Remember!

Our land and sea are connected.

Tampa Bay Watch hosts three large-scale community cleanups a year, along with smaller efforts on a needed basis at various sites throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Keep an eye out to participate in March (Great American Cleanup), July, and September (International Coastal Cleanup).