Coastal Cleanup Campaign launched by HELMEPA

More than 10 million volunteers in 152 countries have taken part in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) campaign since 1986, collecting over 80,000 tons of trash from beaches and the seabed.

At the same time, by recording the collected items the volunteers provide valuable information on the types, amounts and sources of marine litter that helps us better understand and address this serious pollution problem.

This year, the ICC global gathering will take place on Saturday, the 20th of September, a day dedicated to the awareness raising of all on the need to maintain our seas and coasts free of litter.

The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association – HELMEPA is coordinating this global action for the 23rd consecutive year in Greece. The Association invites its members, cooperating entities and all individuals who appreciate and respect the marine environment to organize their own clean-up of a nearby beach from the litter that some of our fellow citizens “forgot” behind during summer. The clean-up event can take place any day during the “Action month for the marine environment” until 20th October.

The procedure is simple:

1. Select the beach you wish to clean-up with your colleagues, family or friends and send your registration form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2. ΗΕLMEPA will send you by email the necessary guidelines and supporting material (poster and data cards).

3. Your event will be registered on the Campaign’s webmap and will be announced on HELMEPA’s Facebook page in order to inform other interested parties.

4. Following the clean-up, send to HELMEPA your completed data cards and some photographs to be uploaded on the internet.

The campaign in Greece is supported by the Hellenic Recovery-Recycling Corporation (He.R.R.Co.), which will undertake the collection of recyclable materials. For further information or/and to receive a printed copy of the registration form please contact HELMEPA’s Environmental Awareness Sector, tel. (+30) 210-9343088, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.