The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and Clean Swell App are innovative solutions tackling marine debris pollution through volunteer engagement and data-driven advocacy. The ICC, established in 1986 by Ocean Conservancy, mobilizes volunteers worldwide to clean beaches, waterways, and coastal areas, while the Clean Swell mobile app enhances data collection and analysis.

The ICC, a global initiative spanning over 150 countries, empowers communities to take action against marine debris. Volunteers collect and document trash during clean-up events, contributing valuable data to inform policy decisions, industry practices, and public awareness campaigns. The Clean Swell app, launched in 2015, revolutionizes this process by allowing volunteers to log and photograph debris digitally, ensuring real-time data synchronization with Ocean Conservancy's global trash database.

This integrated approach enables comprehensive reporting, trend analysis, and identification of pollution sources, driving evidence-based advocacy and industry engagement. By fostering community involvement, educating participants on plastic pollution, and supporting policy changes like plastic bag bans and extended producer responsibility, the ICC and Clean Swell promote sustainable practices and a plastic-free future in marine environments.

• Volunteer Engagement: The ICC mobilizes thousands of volunteers globally, fostering community ownership of ocean conservation and promoting grassroots action against marine debris.
• Data-Driven Advocacy: Clean Swell app enhances data collection and analysis, providing critical insights to shape waste reduction strategies, inform policy decisions, and drive systemic change.
• Sustainable Impact: By empowering citizen science, the ICC and Clean Swell contribute to a sustainable, plastic-free future in marine environments, promoting environmental stewardship and industry responsibility.