The Town of Bluffton, in partnership with the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), invites residents, families, businesses, paddlers and community organizations to participate in the 37th annual Bluffton Beach Sweep/River Sweep on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St.
The Beach Sweep/River Sweep is South Carolina’s largest one-day volunteer waterway cleanup event. Each year on the third Saturday in September, thousands of South Carolinians remove litter and debris from beaches, rivers, lakes and marshes. The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium leads coastal cleanup efforts, while SCDNR leads inland cleanups. The sweep takes place in conjunction
with the International Coastal Cleanup, coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy.
The town and its sponsors will provide all cleanup supplies, coffee, and snacks. After the cleanup, participants are invited to stay for lunch. Growth Management Director Kevin Icard and Bluffton Police Department officers will grill and serve hamburgers and hot dogs.
This year marks the Town of Bluffton’s 18th year participating in the cleanup along the May River.
“The May River is the centerpiece of Bluffton, and these cleanups show how much this community cares about it,” Mayor Larry Toomer said. “Twice a year, our neighbors come together for a common purpose — to take care of the river that has shaped Bluffton’s history, character and way of life. It’s more than a cleanup; it’s a community tradition and our way of thanking the river for all she brings to Bluffton.”
Water- and land-based cleanup options
Community members of all ages are encouraged to participate, including individuals, families, schools, youth groups, civic organizations, conservation groups, kayakers, boaters and local businesses.
Volunteers will gather at Oyster Factory Park to receive cleanup supplies and instructions before heading out along the May River and nearby roadways. Afterward, volunteers will return to the park to drop off collected litter with i2 Recycle, return supplies, enjoy lunch and explore educational tables hosted by local organizations.
To make the cleanups as sustainable as possible, i2 Recycle will provide recycling and waste management services. Volunteers will separate collected litter into two bags, allowing i2 Recycle to sort and recycle appropriate materials.
Members of the Bluffton Paddle Club will assist with water-based cleanup efforts. Volunteers using their own kayak or boat are asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. to allow time for launch setup.
Cleanup supplies, coffee and snacks provided for volunteers
Cleanup supplies, including gloves, safety vests and trash bags, will be provided thanks to Palmetto Pride, Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium and American Rivers.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes and any other personal items needed for working outdoors. The town will provide sunscreen and insect repellent, but participants are encouraged to bring their preferred brands if needed.
Corner Perk will provide volunteers with a cup of May River Blend coffee or hot chocolate before the event, and the Town of Bluffton will provide snacks and ice. After the cleanup, volunteers are invited to explore educational tables hosted by local organizations and enjoy music from 104.9 The Surf’s DJ Jeff “T-Bone” Taylor.
New this year: Participants are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to help reduce single-use plastic waste. The Quench Buggy, a 300-gallon mobile water refill station, will be on site thanks to the Hilton Head Island Rotary Lowcountry Environmental Club. The Town will also offer a special giveaway to thank volunteers for their support.
Event partners
As part of the cleanup, volunteers become citizen scientists by tracking the types and number of debris collected. The information is submitted to the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup database, helping researchers and communities identify litter sources and develop more effective education, prevention, and pollution-reduction strategies.
In 2024, 3,212 volunteers from seven coastal counties covered nearly 294 miles and collected more than 27,700 pounds of discarded items from beaches, rivers, lakes, marshes and swamps.
The Ocean Conservancy collects debris data from cleanup locations worldwide. The information helps identify sources of litter so communities can better target anti-litter education and prevention efforts.
The Town of Bluffton’s Watershed Management Division thanks the many organizations that make this annual event possible, including:
- i2 Recycle
- Corner Perk
- 104.9 The Surf
- The Outside Foundation
- Palmetto Pride
- Keep Beaufort County Beautiful
- Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling
- Beaufort Memorial
- American Rivers
- Palmetto Running Company
- Port Royal Sound Foundation
- Bluffton Paddle Club
- The Dolphin Project
- Hilton Head Island Rotary Lowcountry Environmental Club
- Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Striving for healthy, fishable, swimmable waterways
Every piece of litter removed from the May River and surrounding roadways is one less item that can harm wildlife, degrade habitat or eventually make its way into the Atlantic Ocean. By caring for our local waterways, Bluffton volunteers are contributing to a much larger effort to keep rivers, estuaries and oceans healthy.
The Town of Bluffton extends its sincere appreciation to the volunteers, partners, sponsors and community members who choose to spend part of their Saturday giving back. Their time, energy and commitment help care for the May River — the heart of the Lowcountry — and demonstrate that environmental stewardship starts with people who care about their community.
Registration is not required. However, large groups or organizations planning to participate are encouraged to notify event organizers in advance so adequate supplies and cleanup assignments can be arranged.
For more information or to register a large group, contact Hannah Quast at 843-540-6958 or hquast@townofbluffton.com.
For the latest Town news, including Watershed Management initiatives, follow the Town of Bluffton Government on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Bluffton's 37th Annual River Sweep set for Saturday, Sept. 19
