Ocean Conservancy, Global Volunteers and Partners to Clean Up Our Ocean During the 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup: Online Registration Opens with 5,000 Global Cleanup Locations, Thousands More Soon to be Added

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Ocean Conservancy launches a new searchable online registration system for the 25^th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup. The online registration helps volunteers find a Cleanup site in their hometown. The International Coastal Cleanup, taking place on September 25^th this year, is the world's largest volunteer effort to help protect the ocean. Last year, 500,000 volunteers joined their communities to clean up local beaches, lakes, and rivers with a common mission of improving the health of the ocean and waterways. On one day, volunteers removed and tallied 7.4 million pounds of debris, in 108 countries and 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. To find a 2010 Cleanup site near you, visit www.oceanconservancy.org and search on a world map or choose by town or zip code.

“The ocean is our life support system – yet marine debris continues to threaten its health. From product design to disposal, we all have a role to play in keeping our ocean clean and eliminating marine debris”

Over the last quarter-century, the International Coastal Cleanup has grown from a single cleanup on a Texas beach to a worldwide movement to end the threat of trash in our ocean. In the span of twenty-five years, the International Coastal Cleanup expanded to include hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world who have removed many millions of pounds of trash from the Earth’s ocean, lakes and waterways and documented what they found. This unwavering dedication over the years has helped to make the environment safer for wildlife and people alike.

The BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has outraged people who are looking for a way to help give back to the ocean and improve their communities. The 25^th annual International Coastal Cleanup is a chance to do just that. The International Coastal Cleanup offers volunteers the chance to make a difference for the health of our ocean by reducing ocean pollution.

“The ocean is our life support system – yet marine debris continues to threaten its health. From product design to disposal, we all have a role to play in keeping our ocean clean and eliminating marine debris,” said Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy. “The International Coastal Cleanup is an essential step to finding solutions. Data collected by dedicated volunteers inform solutions to the threat of trash in our ocean. By understanding sources of marine debris, we can work together to solve this problem. Join me and communities around the world this September 25^th to celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup and a 25-year Sea Change.”

Trash is one of the most widespread pollution problems threatening our ocean and waterways and it’s entirely preventable. Marine debris is more than an eyesore. It is a threat to marine wildlife and ecosystems; and undermines tourism and economic activity. Our ocean is stressed from disasters like the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, rising sea temperatures and acidification. Keeping our ocean free from trash is one of the easiest ways we can make the ocean more resilient to these combined threats.

Each year during the International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers from around the world spend a few hours removing trash and debris from beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterways keeping track of every piece of trash they find. Ocean Conservancy uses that information to produce the world’s only annual country-by-country, state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris. The report is shared with the public, industry, and government officials as we work together to end to problem of marine debris.

The Coca-Cola Company has supported the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) for the past 15 years. Two years ago, Coca-Cola launched a multi-year partnership with Ocean Conservancy, through a $1 million pledge to support the ICC. Last year, nearly 42,000 Coca-Cola system associates, their friends and families in 32 markets around the world participated in the ICC, contributing nearly 265,000 hours of volunteer time. As part of its $20 billion, 10-year initiative to address climate change, Bank of America has supported the ICC for the past several years, with thousands of associates participating in Cleanup events across the United States and around the world. Other national sponsors include Altria Group, Inc.; Booz Allen Hamilton; The Dow Chemical Company; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); The Solo Cup Company; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

For additional information about the International Coastal Cleanup, and to sign up to be a part of the next wave of volunteers visit: www.oceanconservancy.org. Media assets are available at www.oceanconservancy.org/iccmedia.

Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, including Alaska, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. www.oceanconservancy.org.