SCDNR, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Lead Statewide Beach Sweep/River Sweep Cleanup Sept. 19

Volunteers Needed at Nearly 100 Cleanup Sites Across South Carolina

Photo Credit: Emma Berry, SCDNR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 37th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep returns Saturday, September 19, bringing thousands of volunteers together at nearly 100 cleanup sites across South Carolina to remove litter from the state’s beaches, marshes, rivers, lakes, and waterways.

Organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Beach Sweep/River Sweep is South Carolina’s largest one-day litter cleanup. The statewide effort is held in conjunction with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Last year, 4,150 volunteers removed nearly 24 tons of debris and covered 972 miles statewide. Volunteers working from boats and on foot collected plastic and glass bottles, cans, food containers, clothing, toys, cigarette butts, and other litter. Larger debris included household appliances, vehicle tires, dock pieces, and building materials. As much of the collected material as possible is recycled.

The cleanup is open to everyone, including individuals, families, schools, youth groups, civic and conservation organizations, and businesses. Cleanup dates may vary by location.

To view cleanup locations in coastal counties, visit scseagrant.org/bsrs-sites or contact Susan Ferris Hill at (843) 953-2092 or susan.ferris.hill@scseagrant.org.

To view cleanup locations in inland counties, visit SCDNR’s Beach Sweep/River Sweep volunteer site or contact Bill Marshall at (803) 734-9096 or marshallb@dnr.sc.gov.

Cheyenne Twilley

Chief of Education, Outreach, and Information

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

260 D. Epting Lane, West Columbia, SC 29172

TwilleyC@dnr.sc.gov