Call For Volunteers: Belmar Beach Sweeps Spring 2026
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
The coastal community of Belmar, New Jersey, is one of over 80 locations seeking volunteers for the Clean Ocean Action Fall Beach Sweeps. This beach cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at all sites statewide. This is a rain-or-shine event.
Beach Cleanup Locations In Belmar
In addition to three sites in Belmar (3rd Avenue and 16th Avenue beaches, as well as L Street beach at Maclearie Park on Route 35), nearby Jersey Shore towns involved in the cleanup effort include Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach, Manasquan, Ocean Grove, Sea Girt, and Spring Lake.
This family-friendly event is a great way to enjoy time outdoors while also doing something good to help sea life and the environment. Volunteers may participate as individuals or in small groups. All volunteers must pre-register separately for the event and sign an electronic waiver on the Clean Ocean Action website. You will be asked to show your confirmation email upon your arrival at the beach cleanup site. Those who have not pre-registered will need to register and sign the waiver via their smartphone on the day of the event.
What To Bring To The Belmar Beach Sweeps
Bring gloves and wear shoes or boots that are sturdy enough for walking in the sand. Refreshments will not be provided, so bring your own snacks and water. The Clean Ocean Action is also encouraging volunteers to bring their own buckets for trash collection to minimize the use of plastic bags.
Read the full list of Clean Ocean Action frequently asked questions for this event.
During previous Beach Sweeps in Belmar, volunteers have included students and scout troops from Jackson, Freehold, Howell, and Tinton Falls, New Jersey — and even a busload of high schoolers from Pennsbury School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Beach Sweeps Impact
According to the Clean Ocean Action, over 176,510 volunteers have eliminated more than 8.7 million pieces of trash from New Jersey coastlines and waterways since the inception of this pollution-prevention program in 1985.
Key Findings from the Clean Ocean Action's 2024 Beach Sweeps Report:
During the COA’s 2024 spring and fall cleanup events, 6,835 volunteers joined the effort along 83 sites along the Jersey coast. They collected and disposed of more than 276,899 total items across all cleanup sites.
Single-use plastic shopping bags dropped to their lowest-ever percentage (1%). Plastic stirrers and straws also decreased significantly from prior years.
83% of trash collected in 2024 was composed of plastic and foam.
Significant decreases were reported in the number of plastic shopping bags, paper pieces, straws and stirrers, balloons, and plastic bottle caps and lids.
Top offenders on the COA's "Dirty Dozen" list continue to be single-use plastic items, including plastic bottle caps (17.56%), plastic pieces (10.83%), and cigarette filters (4.71%).
Newly reported items include plastic dental floss picks and doggie doo-doo bags.
RELATED: Explore The Belmar Treasure Trail
Local Initiatives Against Plastic Pollution
In an effort to prevent ocean pollution, Belmar enacted a ban on single-use plastic bags, which took effect on May 1, 2019. In 2021, Belmar officials subsequently implemented a town-wide ban on foam takeout food containers and plastic straws. Bait shops may still use plastic bags, and straws are available upon customer request only.
Belmar was also the first shore town to prohibit smoking on the beach, which is now banned on every beach in New Jersey. A statewide ban on plastic bags, paper grocery bags, and foam containers went into effect on May 4, 2022. This state law supersedes all local ordinances.
In May 2024, New Jersey also banned the use of long-handled disposable polystyrene foam spoons, portion cups of two ounces or less for foods requiring lids, raw meat and fish trays, and prepackaged items with polystyrene foam for food service. Read more about "Bag Up New Jersey."
Participating in the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps is a fantastic way to contribute to the health of our oceans. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the fight against pollution. Every piece of trash you collect helps protect marine life and keeps our beaches beautiful.
Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps April 11, 2026
outreach@cleanoceanaction.org
732-872-0111
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