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Independence Day weekend

4th / 5th of July Cleanup

Join us for the morning-after beach cleanup. Washington State Parks, GrassRoots Garbage Gang, and Washington Surfrider chapters host along the Central and South Pacific Coast.

Volunteers cleaning up after Independence Day weekend on a Washington beach
A recent post-Independence-Day weekend cleanup.

When

Saturday, July 5

9 am – 12 pm

Where

Central & South Pacific Coast

Long Beach Peninsula · Twin Harbors · Ocean Shores

Focus

Fireworks debris

Before the high tide takes it out

About this cleanup

The morning after.

The tradition of celebrating independence on the 4th of July with fireworks began in 1777. During the last nearly 250 years we have certainly seen the festivities increase from the original 13-gun salute honoring the 13 colonies.

While traditionally a 5th of July effort is implemented to clean up the afterparty, this has not been enough to deal with the impacts of the tremendous amount of fireworks being discharged at the beach. The sheer volume of firework revelries leaves debris scattered along the shoreline or swept into the ocean during high tides.

The Fourth of July brings heavy traffic and significantly increases the amount of litter left behind, especially fireworks. Any litter left on the beach endangers wildlife, marine animals, and beachgoers. Fireworks are not allowed on or near state-park beaches.

Do your part

  • · Bring trash bags
  • · Pack out what you bring
  • · Use designated trash and recycling bins

High tides can carry leftover trash into the ocean, harming marine life. Check the NOAA tide tables for your location.

Where to join us

Cleanup hosts and locations

  • GrassRoots Garbage Gang

    Long Beach Peninsula — Seaview, Sid Snyder, Bolstad, Cranberry, Klipsan, Ocean Park, Oysterville

  • Washington Surfrider Olympia Chapter

    Twin Harbors State Park · Bonge Ave

  • Washington Surfrider Grays Harbor Chapter

    Ocean Shores · Chance A La Mer and Ocean City beach approach

Long Beach Peninsula bag drops · July 4 afternoon

The GrassRoots Garbage Gang has doubled their impact on the Long Beach Peninsula. On the afternoon of July 4 (4–8 pm), volunteers stop vehicles at the following beach approaches to hand out trash bags and encourage people to clean up after themselves:

  • Seaview
  • Sid Snyder
  • Bolstad
  • Cranberry
  • Klipsan
  • Ocean Park
  • Oysterville beach approach