Our Mission

Plastic pollution has been accumulating in our environment for decades. Currently, 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean a year. (Reddy & Lau, 2020) This pollution mainly consists of plastic, which enters the environment through several avenues. Plastic pollution can enter the environment from intentional or unintentional littering, poor waste management, and plastic displeased by storms. (NOAA Marine Debris Program, 2024) One solution to address the problem of plastic pollution entering bodies of water is to clean it up through cleanup events, where volunteers remove the buildup of plastic in their local environment.

We believe that lasting change starts at the local level. Clean Ripple makes it easy for anyone — individuals, schools, businesses, and nonprofits — to organize or join a cleanup event in their community. By lowering the barrier to action, we help turn good intentions into real, measurable impact.

Plastic pollution can damage habitats, injure or trap animals, damage marine vessels, and leach toxic chemicals into the water. (NOAA Marine Debris Program, 2024) Plastic pollution can also negatively impact coastal communities and their economies as they rely on tourism and fishing industries that can be negatively impacted by the accumulation of plastic (United Nations Environment Programme, 2023).

Every piece of plastic removed from a shoreline is one less piece that reaches the ocean, rivers, and watersheds. Every volunteer who participates inspires others. Every cleanup event tracked adds to a growing body of evidence that community action works. That is the ripple effect — and it starts with you.

Clean Ripple aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Clean Ripple most closely aligns with the goals of SDG 14 — Protection of Life Below Water — and SDG 15 — Protection of Life on Land. Cleanups organized on Clean Ripple enable the removal of plastic pollution from the environment and help protect it on land and at sea.