After the fireworks fade and the barbecues wind down, something else is left behind on our beaches: trash—and lots of it.
That’s why we’re hosting a community beach cleanup in Seward, Alaska on Friday, July 5th, and we’d love for you to join us. This event is part of a nationwide effort led by the Surfrider Foundation, bringing together thousands of volunteers to tackle what’s become known as the dirtiest beach day of the year.
Why July 5th?
Each year, the day after Independence Day sees a major spike in litter across beaches, parks, and waterfronts. In 2024 alone, Surfrider volunteers picked up over 50,000 pounds of trash from just one day of cleanups. That included everything from food wrappers and plastic bottles to firework debris and cigarette butts.
Here in Seward, we’re stepping up to make a difference—and we hope you’ll be part of it.
Cleanup Details
Friday, July 5, 2025
10AM
Meet at the Seward Waterfront
What to Bring: A reusable water bottle, sun protection, and a friend! (We’ll provide the rest.)
This event is family-friendly and open to all. No experience is needed—just a willingness to help and a love for the coast.
Not in Seward? You Can Still Join In!
Can’t make it to the cleanup in person? You can still be part of the movement by cleaning up your local beach, lakefront, or riverbank on July 5th. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Anchorage, Homer, or halfway across the country—every piece of litter picked up makes a difference.
Just email chair@kenaipeninsula.surfrider.org to report your cleanup and see how your efforts add to the national impact.
What We’re Fighting For
Beach cleanups are more than just a one-day effort. The trash we collect—most of it plastic—is documented and used to push for real policy change. Here’s what we know from recent data:
- 83% of all items found at cleanups last year were plastic
- One-third were small plastic fragments
- Plastic bag litter has dropped 50% since 2018 in states with bans
- Microplastics are making their way into the seafood we eat
That’s why Surfrider isn’t just cleaning up the mess—we’re also working to stop it at the source with smart, effective legislation.
Be Part of Something Bigger
This is more than a cleanup. It’s a national day of action. When we come together—coast to coast, beach by beach—we can protect the places we love. So whether you join us in Seward or clean up your local shoreline, you’re making a difference. Let’s turn the dirtiest beach day of the year into one of the most powerful.