Get the Trash Out of the Splash: Join the 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup

The Alabama Gulf Coast gives us a lot to love, beautiful beaches, bays and backwaters, incredible wildlife and countless opportunities to get outside and enjoy the water. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, it’s our turn to give a little love back.

The 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup returns from 8 AM to noon, bringing thousands of volunteers together to help remove litter and debris from Alabama’s beaches, waterways, neighborhoods, parks, streets and storm drains. The event is considered the state’s largest single-day volunteer cleanup event, with 33 cleanup zones planned throughout Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. And right here in Orange Beach, there are plenty of ways to get involved, including cleanup locations at Flora-Bama and CoastAL.

A Little Cleanup Makes a Big Difference

What gets dropped on land doesn't always stay there. Litter left along roads, sidewalks and neighborhoods can travel through storm drains, streams and rivers before eventually making its way into our bays and the Gulf. That's why the Alabama Coastal Cleanup isn't limited to picking up trash directly on the beach. Volunteers tackle litter throughout coastal communities to help stop it before it reaches the water. It's a simple idea with a huge collective impact.

Since Alabama joined the International Coastal Cleanup effort in 1987, volunteers have removed nearly 2 million pounds of debris from the state's coastal environment. Alabama PALS reports that more than 116,000 volunteers have participated over the years, cleaning more than 7,000 miles of shoreline. That's a lot of helping hands and a lot of trash that didn't stay on our coast.

Find a Cleanup Zone Near You

You don't have to travel far to participate. This year's cleanup includes 33 zones across Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties, giving volunteers plenty of opportunities to choose a location that's convenient for them. In the Orange Beach area, cleanup locations include Flora-Bama, CoastAL, Cotton Bayou Public Beach, Boggy Point, the Wind and Water Learning Center on Wolf Bay and Ono Island. Some areas are also designated as Boat Zones, where volunteers with kayaks, canoes, small boats and other personal watercraft can help reach litter that isn't easily accessible from land. So whether you prefer walking the shoreline, cleaning around your neighborhood or taking your cleanup efforts onto the water, there's a way to pitch in.

Flora-Bama & CoastAL Are Proud to Support Our Coast

For businesses that get to call the Alabama Gulf Coast home, protecting this incredible place is something we can all get behind. Flora-Bama and CoastAL are both Dolphin Sponsors of the 2026 Alabama Coastal Cleanup, supporting the organizations and volunteers working to protect the beaches and waterways our businesses, employees, locals and visitors enjoy every day. Both properties are also listed among the Orange Beach-area cleanup locations for this year's event. For us, supporting the Coastal Cleanup isn't just about one Saturday in September. Our waterways and beaches are part of what makes life on the Gulf Coast so special, and keeping them clean takes all of us.

Bring the Whole Crew

One of the best things about Alabama Coastal Cleanup is that you don't need any special experience to make a difference.

Bring your family, coworkers, friends, school group, church group or organization and spend a few hours doing something positive for the community. Zone coordinators will have cleanup supplies available for participants, including trash grabbers, large trash bags, recycling bags and gloves. A limited number of event T-shirts, scout badges and window decals will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers should still come prepared for a September morning on the Gulf Coast. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing, apply plenty of sunscreen and bring water. Children should remain under adult supervision, and volunteers should never attempt to lift large or potentially dangerous objects themselves.

Don't Forget to Recycle

While you're getting the trash out of the splash, keep an eye out for recyclables, too. The Alabama Coastal Cleanup works with the Osprey Initiative to recycle #1 plastic bottles and aluminum cans collected during the event. Items need to be relatively clean and should be separated from the rest of the collected trash. It's another small step that helps keep reusable materials out of landfills while making the cleanup's impact go even further.

Keeping Alabama Beautiful Starts With Us

We live, work and play in a pretty incredible place. Our beaches aren't just somewhere we visit. They're where we watch sunsets, bring our families, launch our boats, fish, paddle, work, play and make memories. They're also home to wildlife and fragile coastal ecosystems that depend on all of us doing our part. The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is a reminder that protecting the Gulf Coast doesn't always require doing something huge. Sometimes it starts with a trash bag, a pair of gloves and a few hours of your Saturday morning. So round up your crew and join us on September 19.

39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 8 AM–12 PM
Where: 33 cleanup zones throughout Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties
Orange Beach Locations Include: Flora-Bama, CoastAL, Cotton Bayou Public Beach, Boggy Point, Wind and Water Learning Center and Ono Island

The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is coordinated by Alabama People Against a Littered State (PALS) and the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources State Lands Division, Coastal Section.

Come help us Get the Trash Out of the Splash and keep Alabama's coast beautiful for generations to come.

Find your 2026 Alabama Coastal Cleanup zone