E.J. Harrison & Sons is once again looking forward to California Coastal Cleanup Day,

taking place Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. This annual event brings together volunteers across the state to help clean beaches, shorelines, rivers, lakes and watersheds.

For E.J. Harrison, Coastal Cleanup Day is an important tradition. Ventura County’s coast and waterways are a major part of what makes this community special, and keeping them clean takes participation from residents, businesses, families and local organizations.

Nearly every body of water in California eventually flows to the ocean.

Along the way, water can carry trash from streets, neighborhoods, parks and inland areas into creeks, rivers and coastal waters. Coastal Cleanup Day gives volunteers a chance to stop some of that trash before it reaches the ocean or remove it from areas where it has already collected.

The impact can be significant. According to 2024 data shared in the Trash Flash, 1,439 Ventura County volunteers collected almost 14,000 pounds of trash. Across California, 47,493 volunteers collected just over 405,000 pounds of trash during the event.

Ventura County residents have two ways to participate this year.

The first is to volunteer at an official cleanup site from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable supplies when possible, such as a bucket, gloves, water bottle and hat, to help reduce waste during the cleanup. Pre-registration is not required, but participants should print and sign the waiver available through the Ventura County Coastal Cleanup website.

The second option is a self-guided cleanup.

If you cannot participate on Sept. 19, you can clean your own neighborhood, local park or trail any day in September. Volunteers can use the free Clean Swell data collection app to track and report cleanup results.

As a Ventura County Trash Service provider,

E.J. Harrison is proud to support community efforts that keep trash out of local waterways and protect the environment we all share.

Find cleanup details and sites at vccoastcleanup.org.

Photos by Brendan Daly with WhizCom Marketing.