Chennai is set to join communities around the world in marking International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD) on September 19, with volunteers expected to take part in beach and coastal clean-up activities across the city.
Observed annually on the third Saturday of September, International Coastal Cleanup Day was launched by Ocean Conservancy in 1986 to encourage communities to remove marine litter while raising awareness about the impact of waste on oceans and waterways. The 2026 observance will form part of India’s week-long ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0’ campaign, running from September 13 to 19.
In Chennai, planned activities are expected to bring together students, volunteers, coastal communities, civic groups and environmental organisations at several stretches, including Marina Beach, Palavakkam, Besant Nagar and other coastal locations. The wider campaign focuses on reducing marine litter, responsible waste management and greater public participation in protecting coastal ecosystems.
The initiative will also continue beyond September 19. A number of community-led clean-up drives are scheduled for September 26, including a large-scale effort stretching from Kasimedu to Kovalam between 6am and 9am. A separate International Coastal Cleanup Drive is also planned at Marina Beach near Vivekananda House during the same hours.
For those looking to mark the day, joining a registered local cleanup, reducing single-use plastic, disposing of waste responsibly or organising a small neighbourhood or waterfront cleanup can turn the observance into practical community action. Ocean Conservancy also encourages volunteers to document the waste they collect, helping build data on marine debris.
(Featured Image Credit: Photo by OCG Saving The Ocean on Unsplash)
Want to take part? Look for a registered cleanup in your area or organise a small community effort of your own. Share your ideas with us on Instagram, and visit Lyrical Muse for more such community initiatives.
Leave a Reply