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COASTSWEEP - Information for Cleanup Coordinators

Find out how to organize a cleanup at your favorite beach.

From late August into November, thousands of volunteers in Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP—the statewide beach cleanup sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Cleanup coordinators organize local cleanups with support from CZM and choose an area to be cleaned up, publicize the event locally, receive supplies (which are provided for free), give cleanup and safety instructions, distribute materials to volunteers, oversee the cleanup, arrange for proper trash disposal, and oversee data collection.

For a full list of information on the COASTSWEEP website, see Overview and Index. And if you have any questions, feel free to email coastsweep@mass.gov, or see COASTSWEEP Contact Information for a staff list, email addresses, and phone numbers.

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Sign Up to Be a Cleanup Coordinator

To volunteer as a cleanup coordinator, please email coastsweep@mass.gov with the date and location of your proposed cleanup (cleanups are held from late August into November). CZM will get back to you and resolve any potential scheduling conflicts or other issues. For cleanups at Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) parks and beaches, CZM will work directly with DCR to secure proper approvals.

Once the date and place are set, please fill out and submit a Cleanup Coordinator Sign-Up Sheet: 

CZM will then send further instructions, including details on contacting the site manager. (We recommend that cleanup coordinators contact site managers to make sure that they are aware of your efforts. Site managers may also be able to help with logistics, such as trash removal.)

Cleanup Supplies

CZM ships your free supplies by U.S. Postal Service to arrive before your cleanup date. Supplies include:

  • COASTSWEEP welcome letter
  • Trash bags
  • Disposable gloves (provided courtesy of Tronex)
  • Sign-in sheet/waiver
  • Safety guidelines
  • COASTSWEEP poster
  • Clean Swell mobile app instructions
  • Clean Swell mobile app poster
  • Data forms (one per 2-3 volunteers, if requested)
  • Pencils (one per 2-3 volunteers, if data forms are requested)
  • Cleanup report
  • Stamped envelope addressed to CZM (only for those who request printed data forms to return the forms, along with the cleanup report)

Sign-In Sheet/Waiver Form

Every volunteer must sign in and complete a COASTSWEEP waiver form. The best approach is to ask volunteers to read, complete, and submit an online form when they sign up for your cleanup. A parent or legal guardian must sign for minors. (A printed sign-in sheet/waiver form will be provided with your mailed supplies. Please have it available at the cleanup and have everyone who did not complete an online form read, fill out, and sign the printed copy.)

Online Waiver Form

Printable Form (a copy is included with your mailed supplies)

COASTSWEEP Safety Guidelines

To ensure a safe cleanup, please read these safety instructions aloud to all volunteers prior to the cleanup.

COASTSWEEP Poster

This 8½"x11" poster can be placed on local bulletin boards or in shop windows (with permission) to help spread the word in your community. To customize the poster with your cleanup information, fill it out online or print it and handwrite the details. (Please email coastsweep@mass.gov if you do not have a printer, and we will include some posters with your supplies.)

Sample Press Release

For media coverage, you can customize this generic press release and send it to your local papers, community television stations, and any relevant groups that send out newsletters. Please feel free to contact CZM if you need help with your publicity efforts, and email a link to any press coverage to coastsweep@mass.gov so CZM can include it on the COASTSWEEP website and in CZ-Mail.

Data Collection

As part of the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup, COASTSWEEP volunteers record data on the marine debris collected. Along with traditional paper data forms, a Clean Swell mobile app is available for use on Apple and Android phones. To help reduce waste associated with COASTSWEEP, CZM recommends using this app whenever possible. If you prefer paper data forms and pencils, please request them when filling out the Cleanup Coordinator Sign-Up Sheet, or print Data Forms (PDF, 636 KB) and provide one for every 2-3 volunteers.

PLEASE NOTE: To ensure the cleanup location is properly saved in the Clean Swell app, please enter all data at the cleanup site if possible. Otherwise, select “record a past cleanup” from the app home page (scroll right). On the first screen you can enter the location details.

CZM welcomes feedback on the app. Please email comments to coastsweep@mass.gov.

Cleanup Report

Please submit a COASTSWEEP Cleanup Report to CZM as soon as possible after your cleanup. The report confirms cleanup completion and provides details such as the number of volunteers and bags of debris collected.

More Information

Below are links to some additional materials to assist with your cleanup efforts.

Additional Resources

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