Major Oregon Coast Beach Cleanups Right After Fourth - How You Can Help

Published 06/18/25 at 6:05 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Rockaway Beach, Oregon) - As summer begins, the Pacific Northwest sees a surge in outdoor activity, drawing residents and visitors alike to beaches, rivers, and parks. But along with the sunshine comes a sharp rise in litter, particularly along the Oregon coast during the Fourth of July holiday. (SOLVE photo: Manzanita)

That area, especially, is the recipient of a kind of garbage overload every holiday.

In response, the nonprofit organization SOLVE is rolling out its "Summer with SOLVE" campaign The initiative is aimed at encouraging environmental stewardship, community engagement, and collective action to protect Oregon’s natural spaces. Organizers say the campaign underscores the importance of preserving the region’s scenic beauty for future generations.

The result is full housekeeping mode out on the beaches.

“Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, but it's also a time to ensure these spaces remain clean and sustainable,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “Together, we can create cleaner, more inviting spaces that reflect our pride in our region and our commitment to caring for the environment.”

One major focus is the post-holiday coastal cleanups known as SOLVE Afterglow – Post-4th Cleanups, scheduled for July 5 and 6. These events mobilize volunteers to clear firework debris and trash that commonly accumulate on beaches. But it’s not just the shore: parks, neighborhoods, and riverbanks across the region are impacted too.

Complete List of Oregon Coast Fourth of July Celebrations 2025 - Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Coos Bay, Bandon, Florence, Yachats, Newport, Lincoln City, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria

More information about the campaign and cleanup events is available on the SOLVE website https://www.solveoregon.org/post-4th.

Each year, environmental advocates warn that the aftermath of July Fourth poses hazards to marine life and diminishes the quality of popular recreation sites. However, this is true for all of Oregon's waterways and other inland locales.

Here is a list of the coastal events taking place on the weekend after July 4th:

Sunset Beach Cleanup, Warrenton
Treasure the Beach Cleanup, Seaside
Beach and Neighborhood Cleanup, Lincoln City
Firework Debris Cleanup, Rockaway Beach
Netarts/Oceanside Beach Cleanup, Netarts
Lincoln City (NW 26th St) Beach Access Cleanup, Lincoln City
Fifth of July Cleanup, Hammond

See more on the Netarts event Outdoors and Rugged on N. Oregon Coast: Upcoming Events Near Astoria, Netarts, Coos Bay

Other summer events for areas like Portland and Eugene as well as southern and eastern Oregon.

• Afterglow: Post-4th Cleanups (July 5-6): Volunteers will tackle the debris left behind from holiday celebrations to help restore outdoor spaces and shorelines.
• Willamette River Cleanup (August 9): A focused cleanup of the Willamette River, combating litter both on the water and along the riverbanks.
• Waterway Cleanup Series (ongoing through September): A series of cleanup efforts dedicated to preserving Oregon’s rivers and streams during the peak outdoor season.
• Monthly Detrash Portland Events: Community cleanups in Portland's business districts, focusing on revitalizing key areas in the city.

For more information about Summer with SOLVE and how to get involved, visit solveoregon.org/seasons or follow them on social media.

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