Olympians and volunteers pulled more than 1,100 pounds of trash from an LA28 beach
A future Olympic venue became a hands-on demonstration of what 150 volunteers can remove from one beach in a day.
More than 150 volunteers, including Team USA Olympians and Paralympians, removed 1,109 pounds of trash from Alamitos Beach in Long Beach, California, as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. The beach is scheduled to host Olympic and Paralympic events in 2028.
Why it matters
The event connects a very visible future sports venue with the less glamorous work of preventing plastic and other debris from reaching the ocean.
How much agreement is there?
Broad agreement. Removing litter from beaches and waterways is widely viewed as beneficial, though cleanups address existing waste rather than the upstream sources of plastic pollution.
Could someone help?
Join a local International Coastal Cleanup event, organize a school or neighborhood cleanup, or use cleanup apps that log what kinds of trash are being found.
Published: September 19, 2026.