September 4, 2020
by: Staff Report
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – With people in Pasco County enjoying outdoor recreation spaces more than ever, Pasco is again partnering with Keep Pasco Beautiful to help clean our public lands, roads, and waterways. The annual International Coastal Cleanup, presented by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., will be held throughout Pasco on Saturday, September 19, 2020, from 8 a.m. to noon.
The coronavirus pandemic changes this year’s strategy, focusing on smaller groups covering more areas to allow for social distancing, rather than the large gatherings of years past. Volunteers are encouraged to find a public area in their community that needs to be cleaned and recruit a small team to assist.
Anyone who would like to volunteer must register at bit.ly/2020CoastalCleanup. Face masks, disposable gloves, and trash bags will be provided, as well as Coastal Cleanup face buffs while supplies last.
“We’re thrilled to have the partnership and funding support of Withlacoochee River Electric, the Rotary District 6950 Foundation and our local Rotary Clubs – including West Pasco Sunset, New Port Richey, Trinity and Dade City Sunrise,” said Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King.
The local cleanups, mobilized by Ocean Conservancy, are part of the largest worldwide volunteer effort on behalf of ocean health. More than 2,000 volunteers made a difference in Pasco County in 2019.
The purpose is to clean up and track the trash collected. More than 8 million metric tons of plastic trash ends up in our oceans every year. Since 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup has captured more than 334 million pounds of trash with the efforts of over 16 million volunteers.