Millions of Pieces of Litter Removed from Great Lakes Shores Since 2003

The Adopt-a-Beach program, an initiative to keep litter and waste out of the Great Lakes, has passed a milestone.

According to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, volunteers with Adopt-a-Beach have removed more than 10 million pieces of litter from Great Lakes beaches and shorelines since 2003. Volunteers tally every item found when working to clean up beaches and shorelines, and the data collected becomes part of a 20-plus year dataset helping communities find solutions to plastic pollution.

On September 21, residents can join volunteers for the biggest day of Adopt-a-Beach action. Thousands of volunteers will clean and celebrate Great Lakes shorelines as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers on all 5 lakes and in all 8 Great Lakes states will join others worldwide caring for their waters. Visit adopt.greatlakes.org for information on how to volunteer.