2009 Florida Coastal Cleanup for Pasco County, Florida on September 19, 2009

Join hundreds of volunteers to help clean up Pasco County

It may seem early, but Pasco County's Annual Coastal Cleanup is just around the corner. The cleanup is always held the third Saturday of September and this year that falls on Sept. 19. Groups of volunteers will fan out across the county and the coastline picking up trash and debris from 8 a.m. to noon.

"Groups are signing up every day," said Jennifer Seney, Pasco County's Recycling Coordinator. "We clean up all over Pasco County, not just the coast. One of our largest groups is in Land O'Lakes. They've been picking up trash every year for the past 17 years."

Last year, more than 20 groups fanned out across Pasco and the coast. Nearly 1,900 volunteers picked up 17.76 tons of trash.

The Pasco County Recycling Department is the local coordinator of the cleanup with help from Pasco Parks and Recreation. The national sponsor, The Ocean Conservancy, assists local groups by providing plastic trash bags and literature.  

Seney says local support has been tremendous.

"We get a lot of support from our local haulers and businesses who donate time, goods and many other items for the cleanups,'' she said. "Our captains also put out the extra effort. They take good care of our volunteers. Many hold cookouts after their cleanups."

The groups below have already signed up for the September event. Volunteers may sign up for an existing group or create a group of their own. For information or to sign up, call Pasco County Recycling at the following numbers:

West Pasco: 727-847-8041

Central Pasco: 813-996-7341, ext 8041

East Pasco: 352-521-4274, ext 8041

Anclote Gulf Park fishing pier

Anclote River and Anclote Gulf parks 

Anclote sand bar & Gulf Harbor channels & North Anclote Island

Hudson Beach and Signal Cove Canals

Hudson, Sea Pines neighborhood & canals

Hudson, Signal Cove canals and streets

Lacoochee area, The Christian Edge

Land O' Lakes, entire central area

New Port Richey, all parks and streets

New Port Richey, Werner-Boyce and streets

Shady Hills, Kent Grove Rd

Wesley Chapel streets

Wesley Chapel, Quail Hollow Boulevard