INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP 2025
MORE THAN 18 MILLION VOLUNTEERS WORLDWIDE
September 20 – November 30, 2025
For the 35th consecutive year, HELMEPA, as the National Coordinator, is organizing in Greece the International Coastal Cleanup, the largest global volunteer initiative for the marine environment, with the participation of more than 18 million volunteers worldwide, who have collected over 172 million kilograms of litter. The initiative is organized internationally by Ocean Conservancy and in Greece will run from September 20 to November 30, 2025.
See Ocean Conservancy’s Annual Report here, with interesting findings from volunteer cleanup campaigns around the world.
The 2024 International Coastal Cleanup campaign in Greece broke a participation record, with 13,221 volunteers joining forces to organize 277 cleanups across the country.
Participation in the campaign is open to students, parents, teachers, Port Authorities, municipalities, companies and organizations, embassies, environmental groups, hiking and nature clubs, diving centers, sailing and yachting clubs, local communities, volunteer teams, and anyone wishing to show their care for the marine and coastal environment of our country.
See why our oceans need your help – some facts that speak for themselves.
HELMEPA’s program is based on two pillars:
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Experiential Marine Cleanup (EMC)
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Marine Litter Monitoring (MLM)
Both activities are based on citizen science and follow specific international and European litter recording protocols.
EXPERIENTIAL MARINE CLEANUP
A fun and meaningful way to carry out a one-time cleanup activity with measurable results.
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Fill in HELMEPA’s online Volunteer Cleanup Event Registration Form.
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We will send you the necessary information to organize your activity.
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Carry out your cleanup using the Marine Debris Tracker app to record the litter collected.
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Send us your photos so we can showcase your action.
MARINE LITTER MONITORING PROGRAM
Adopt a beach! Take part in a program with a significant positive impact on the marine environment that is simple to implement. It’s a three-year commitment coordinated by your volunteer team at a specific beach, combining coastal cleanups with seasonal surveys to record marine litter.
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Choose your preferred beach and commit for 3 years (HELMEPA will guide you in selecting beaches within the Attica region).
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Fill in HELMEPA’s online Volunteer Cleanup Event Registration Form.
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We will send you the necessary information to organize your activity and to use the Marine Debris Tracker app for litter recording.
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Visit your beach at least twice a year – ideally four times a year.
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Send us your photos, and we will celebrate your success together.
Both types of coastal cleanups offer an excellent opportunity for organizations seeking to enhance their social impact, inspire participants to commit to environmental protection, and foster the spirit of volunteerism.
In particular, the Marine Litter Monitoring Program contributes to the scientific study of the problem, providing valuable data on the quantities, types, and sources of litter.
Join us to save the seas
#BeTheChange
#SeaTheChange
#InUnityThereIsStrength
See also:
HELMEPA Marine Litter Data Card
For participants who may find it challenging to use the Marine Debris Tracker app during field activities, litter can first be recorded using the HELMEPA Marine Litter Data Card. The information can then be easily transferred to the Marine Debris Tracker app, as both follow the same data recording structure. The Data Card was developed in collaboration with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), in alignment with European guidelines for the scientific monitoring of marine litter.