Great American Cleanup returns locally March 7
By Lisa Neff
Billions of pieces of litter. Twenty-five thousand communities. And one Saturday morning in Manatee County that counts toward all of it.
Keep America Beautiful, a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating litter and beautifying public spaces, is promoting the “Greatest American Cleanup” to mark the country’s 250th birthday. KAB aims to remove 25 billion pieces of litter and engage 25,000 communities by July 4.
In Manatee County, the effort comes to life through Keep Manatee Beautiful, which will host a countywide cleanup March 7 along Manatee Avenue on the Palma Sola Causeway, on Perico and Anna Maria islands and in area waters.
KMB, founded in 1991, is a local nonprofit focused on practical solutions to litter, illegal dumping and recycling challenges.
As an affiliate of Keep Florida Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful, the group organizes cleanups, builds partnerships with local governments and businesses, and helps residents take responsibility for shared public spaces. Its work is straightforward: reduce trash, improve neighborhoods and protect waterways through volunteer action.
On March 7, Manatee volunteers can choose from beach, roadside, causeway or water-based cleanups, with check-ins at 9 a.m. at:
• Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. W., Holmes Beach.
• Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island.
• Palma Sola Boat Ramp, 9500 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
• Palma Sola Causeway Park, 9000 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
The focus areas include the Intracoastal Waterway, Palma Sola Bay and heavily used corridors where wind and tides push debris ashore.
In late February, The Dose/Bradenton Magazine reached out to Keep Manatee Beautiful executive director Jennifer Hoffman and Azzara Communications Inc. about the Great American Cleanup:
The Dose: The Great American Cleanup is set for March 7. This is a tradition in the United States. What can you tell us about why people turn out for this event?
KMB: The Great American Cleanup has been around long enough that people know it’s a chance to do something meaningful close to home when weather is unbeatable in our area.
People turn out because they care about coastal areas, our neighborhoods and the places they take their kids on weekends.
It’s also an event where you put in a few hours of hard work and you leave knowing you made a visible difference.
The Dose: The concentration is on and around the waters of the Intracoastal and Palma Sola Bay. How were the locations chosen?
KMB: We focus on areas where litter naturally collects — shorelines, high-traffic roads and places where wind and tides push debris.
The Intracoastal and Palma Sola Bay are both beautiful and heavily used, so they need regular attention. If we can grab litter before it breaks down or drifts farther into the bay, it makes our coastal areas healthier and attractive.
The Dose: What’s the oddest item you’ve seen picked up in one of these cleanups?
KMB: We’ve seen plenty of weird stuff over the years — shopping carts in mangroves, old TVs, even a couch near a shoreline. You really never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes you wonder HOW random items got where they are when we retrieve them.
The Dose: What’s the most common item?
KMB: Bottles, food wrappers, foam containers. Cigarette butts are everywhere. They’re small, but they add up fast and can really impact wildlife.
Single-use plastics, though, are the most common items we collect.
Here’s where we remind readers to please, please pick up after yourself and properly dispose of your trash, especially when you’re outside visiting our parks, preserves and beaches!
The Dose: Have you seen the amount of litter collected decrease over the years?
KMB: In some places, yes. But with so much development and so many more people enjoying our outdoor areas, litter is still something we constantly have to stay on top of. It’s not a fix-it-and-forget-it issue.
The Dose: KMB also coordinates First Tuesday and First Saturday cleanups at various locations through the year. Do you see different people at these events based on location or do you see a core group?
KMB: We definitely have a loyal core group who show up regularly — and they’re incredible. But we also see new faces depending on the location or event. Sometimes it’s neighbors who live nearby, sometimes it’s businesses bringing teams. We also love when groups of kids come out to earn service hours for school or projects they’re working on. They bring a lot of enthusiasm to our cleanup events!
The Dose: Who are some of KMB’s partners and sponsors?
KMB: We’re fortunate to work with local governments, businesses, civic groups and environmental partners throughout Manatee County.
We couldn’t continue without support from Bradenton and Palmetto and the Island cities, plus Manatee County government.
Local companies step up in different ways at different times of the year.
The Dose: Volunteers at the cleanups don’t have to be KMB members. But you do have a membership base. What role do members play? What are benefits of joining?
KMB: You absolutely don’t have to be a member to volunteer — we welcome everyone. But our members help sustain the work year-round.
Their support helps us buy supplies, expand education programs and plan larger projects. They’re also some of our biggest ambassadors in the community.
Joining is really about taking an active role in keeping our local environment clean, not just one Saturday morning.
Year after year, members and other volunteers show up along local shorelines and roadsides and haul away what wind, tide and carelessness leave behind — and that tradition continues March 7.
How to participate
The 2026 Great American Cleanup in Manatee County will take place 9 a.m.-noon March 7 at multiple locations.
Participation is free.
Volunteers can select beach, roadside, preserve or water-based cleanup options.
Registration and event details are available through Keep Manatee Beautiful’s website at www.manateebeautiful.com.
Lunch will be provided after the cleanup.
By the numbers — 2026 cleanup goals
• 25 billion pieces of litter targeted for removal nationwide by July 4.
• 25,000 communities engaged across the country.
• 700-plus local affiliates mobilizing volunteers nationwide.