The Great Oregon Coast Cleanup - And Rivers and Towns

Published 09/08/2026 at 8:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Pacific City, Oregon) - SOLVE is mobilizing communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington this September as its annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup hits again on September 18 - 27. Registration is now open for volunteer projects aimed at removing litter, restoring natural areas and protecting waterways from inland neighborhoods to the Oregon coast.

That is, after all, where it started some 40 years ago.

The Beach & Riverside Cleanup has connected volunteers since the '80s in a shared effort to care for beaches, rivers and public lands. This year’s lineup includes returning regional events such as Pick It Up, Milwaukie! and Pick It Up, Bend!, both entering their second year, along with SOLVE’s Clean & Green Series in Vancouver.

“Protecting our waterways starts in the communities where we live, work and play,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “Every piece of litter we prevent from entering a storm drain, creek or river is one less piece that can travel downstream. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup reminds us that our actions are connected, from inland communities to rivers and ultimately to the coast.”

SOLVE said litter travels quickly through the watershed, carried by rain and runoff from streets, parks and neighborhoods into storm drains and streams before eventually reaching the ocean. The cleanup highlights that source-to-sea connection with projects ranging from coastal beaches and riverbanks to parks and community spaces. Volunteers remove litter, restore natural areas and help protect waterways that link communities across the region.

The 2026 event also aligns with several national and global observances focused on protecting waterways and public lands, including International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19, National Public Lands Day on September 26 and World Rivers Day on September 27.

The Beach & Riverside Cleanup is part of SOLVE’s broader network of local action opportunities. After successful inaugural events last year, Pick It Up, Milwaukie! and Pick It Up, Bend! return with large community cleanups that bring residents, businesses and volunteers together to prevent litter from reaching local waterways. In Vancouver,

SOLVE’s Clean & Green Series continues to support cleanup and restoration projects in parks and natural areas, aided by a local supply hub that provides tools and materials for volunteer leaders.

It's not just about the Oregon coast anymore.

All these efforts reflect SOLVE’s year-round approach to community stewardship, connecting people with opportunities to care for their neighborhoods, natural areas and waterways while contributing to a cleaner and more resilient region.

Key Events Across the Region

Coastal communities in Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Clatsop, Curry and Benton counties will participate in the Beach & Riverside Cleanup, with most coastal events scheduled for International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19. Volunteers will remove litter from beaches and coastal areas as part of a global effort to protect waterways and prevent marine debris from reaching the ocean.

There are also:

Pick It Up, Milwaukie! | September 19
Clean & Green Vancouver | September 19
Pick It Up, Bend! | September 27

Whether volunteers are picking up litter along the coast, restoring a neighborhood park or cleaning up an inland community, every action helps protect the waterways that connect us all.

Registration and event information are available at
solveoregon.org/beach-riverside

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