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International Cleanup Day is one of the largest volunteer cleanup efforts on behalf of the marine environment.This annual event scheduled each year in September, engages volunteers to remove litter and marine debris from the world's beaches, lakes, rivers, and waterways, to identify the sources of debris, and to change the behaviours that cause pollution. Project AWARE contributes data from its underwater efforts in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide to compliment land-based cleanup activities.
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From plastic debris littering the shores of remote islands to furnishings and car parts clogging rivers and streams to fishing nets and line smothering and entangling coral reefs, marine debris is one of the most insidious problems facing our oceans today. Virtually no shoreline or beach on earth is free from litter. And the scene looks much the same under water, where the ocean bottom becomes a veritable litter can for discarded goods. Project AWARE encourages divers to take action and use their dive training and skills to remove harmful debris found beneath the surface. It offers a unique opportunity to the diving community to contribute to the worldwide campaign to protect the marine environment from litter while gaining useful experience in search and recovery techniques and dive leadership. International Cleanup Day is not only about pollution cleanup, but more importantly about pollution prevention. This event educates and empowers people to take action and become part of the solution. In addition to collecting and removing debris, volunteers record the types of debris they pick up. The data collected is compiled and analysed each year to identify the activities and general sources causing the debris. The final information is then used to educate the public, business, industry, and government officials about the marine debris problem. Project AWARE also encourages and coordinates clean up campaigns throughout the year.