The Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew ended September with a pop-up, post-Hurricane Helene sweep. About 75 volunteers gathered on a Saturday morning to collect litter and debris stirred up by the storm, including pieces of broken beach walkovers and other building materials loosened from properties at the eroding south end of the island.
The IOP Cleanup Crew has transitioned from a busy summer of litter sweeps held twice a week to an off-season schedule with one litter sweep a month.
For the IOP Cleanup Crew, keeping the island clean and beautiful is a year-round labor of love. So far in 2024, the crew’s volunteers have collected and documented more than 36,000 litter and debris items, with a lifetime tally of 217,000 litter items since 2018.
Similar to years past, the crew’s off-season litter sweeps will be held the second Monday of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Front Beach. The earlier time allows volunteers to finish before dark during the fall and winter.
Off-season dates for 2024-25 include:
- Oct. 14
- Nov. 11
- Dec. 9 (holiday party)
- Jan. 13
- Feb. 10 (Valentine’s party)
Volunteers check in for the monthly litter sweeps along the usual Front Beach access in the 1100 block of Ocean Boulevard, next to Coconut Joe's and the city restroom building with the postcard mural. The crew welcomes all ages and provides supplies.
The IOP Cleanup Crew uses volunteer power to keep the coast clean, protect natural ecosystems and public health, and document litter to help solve the pollution crisis. In partnership with the South Carolina Aquarium and its Litter Journal, the crew has engaged thousands of volunteer “citizen scientists” with the support of the City of Isle of Palms and local businesses.
While no advance registration is required, groups of 15 or more are encouraged to email Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew co-founder Susan Hill Smith at susanhillsmith@gmail.com.
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