Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview

I want to get involved. What are my options?
There are two ways to get involved with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, these are to register as a:

1) Site Coordinator (= Organizer): An individual who volunteers to lead a cleanup at a local shoreline during the official cleanup week in September. They select the date and location and plan all aspects of their cleanup, which includes organizing a team of volunteers to pick up trash and record their findings.

2) Cleanup Participant (= Helper): An individual who joins a cleanup that has been registered by a Site Coordinator. They search the website for public events to see if any are taking place on a day that they are available to help.

In order for a cleanup to happen, an individual, either yourself or someone else, must first become the Site Coordinator. Both forms of program involvement are highly appreciated and we encourage you to become involved whichever way you are most comfortable. Click here.

Is there an age limit?
Site Coordinator: For legal reasons, you must be at least 19 years of age to register as a Site Coordinator, but we still encourage youth to take on a leadership role. They simply must find an adult to register online as the Site Coordinator.

Cleanup Participant: There is no age limit to become a Cleanup Participant, but all participants are asked to sign a liability waiver. Individuals under the age 19 must bring a liability waiver that has been signed by a parent or legal guardian to the cleanup they attend. Click here to download the waiver.

What happens at a shoreline cleanup?
A cleanup team, made up of a Site Coordinator and their Cleanup Participants, come together to have a positive impact on the environment by ridding their local waterways of shoreline litter. These teams of dedicated individuals gather and pick up trash while filling out easy to use data cards that tabulate the type and amount of litter that is removed.

When and where do shoreline cleanups take place?
Shoreline cleanups happen each September during an official cleanup week. These events take place in every province and territory across Canada, from the most remote locations to the most heavily populated urban centres. No matter where you live, there is a shoreline in need of a cleanup.

Why is the cleanup held in September? What about the spring?
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is held in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup, a global cleanup event organized every September by the Ocean Conservancy. Our cleanup is one of the largest contributors to this worldwide event and this is all thanks to the continual support of our Site Coordinators and their cleanup teams. Many great local initiatives take place earlier in the year and our September cleanups offer an additional chance to address shoreline litter across Canada. By comparing data from the same time each year we can observe clear trends and patterns in the relationship between human behaviour and shoreline litter.

What if I don’t live near a beach? Can rivers, ponds and other waterways be cleaned?
We consider shorelines to be any place that land meets water. This means that rivers, ponds, lakes, streams, marshes and all other types of waterways are suitable for a shoreline cleanup. Remember, not all litter is obvious on first glance. If a shoreline looks clean, look again! There is probably shoreline litter to be found. Smaller litter items may be buried in the sand, between rocks or hidden along the edges of logs.

Are the locations for shoreline cleanup pre-selected each year?
No. The shoreline cleanup locations on our website are either locations where a group has cleaned in the past or new locations that have been suggested to the program. We are not able to identify every location across the country which is suitable for a cleanup and therefore rely on the local knowledge of our participants. This means that some locations may have fewer details on the website than others. Before signing up to organize or participate at a shoreline, be sure you are familiar with that cleanup location.

The location I want to clean is not on the website. Why is this?

It is probably a brand new location. If you think the site is suitable for a cleanup (i.e. accessible and safe), then we encourage you to submit this new site to our program. Look for the instructions on how to submit a new location when browsing the online map. Once your details have been submitted we will notify you of our decision within 3-4 business days. If you wish to become the Site Coordinator for the new site submitted, you will need to provide your event details. If you are hoping to participate at a cleanup, you will either need to find someone to take on the role of Site Coordinator or wait and see if a group organizes a public event.

Why can’t I see the shoreline site that I submitted on the map yet?
All newly submitted sites undergo an approval process before appearing on our map of available cleanups. This is because we must first make sure the suggested site is not already listed in our system and that it is an appropriate area to clean. Depending on when you completed your site submission, this review process can take up to 4 business days.

Can I register to clean more than one shoreline?
Absolutely! There is no limit to the number of shorelines cleaned each year, and we appreciate your eagerness and dedication to shoreline stewardship.

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Cleanups in General

Why are there data cards? I just want to focus on picking up litter.
The main goal of the program is to create awareness and change behaviours that lead to littering, and this is why the data cards are so important. By looking at the amount, types and sources of litter found along our shorelines every year, the behaviours leading to why shoreline litter exists come to light. All it takes is a simple lined tick mark to provide the necessary facts about what we are finding on our shorelines. While we do appreciate you might want to focus solely on picking up trash, please remember that the data cards are easy to fill out and without this information we have no record about what your hard work has accomplished.

What is the liability waiver? Why must we sign this?
While the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a fun and easy way to make a positive impact on the environment, it is an outdoor event and there are some risks involved. The liability waiver is a written agreement between cleanup participants and the Vancouver Aquarium that acknowledges these risks. By signing this form, the participant acknowledges that they are both aware of any risks involved and agree to not hold the Aquarium responsible should any incident arise as a result of their participation. Click here to download a copy of the waiver.

What is a “Private Cleanup”?
A private cleanup is simply a cleanup that is closed to the general public. This does not mean the cleanup is held on private property, it just means that for the purpose of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, the individual who volunteered to be the Site Coordinator has chosen leave their event closed to new participants they do not know. Remember that cleanups are organized by a variety of groups and there can be various reasons they opt to host a private event. If this was a location you had hoped to clean, please search the map to either find an available location or suggest a new one.

Will we be cleaning up algae, driftwood, or other naturally occurring material?
No. The Great Canadian Cleanup is focused only on reducing human-generated litter from our environments. If any natural elements are removed, then the sensitive balance of your aquatic ecosystem could be negatively affected. We encourage you to contact your municipality or provincial environmental ministry with any specific concerns regarding your shoreline.

What should we do if we come across oil or other toxic substances during our cleanup?
Chemical pollution and oil spills are outside the scope of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Please report any dangerous waste to your local authorities.

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Organizing a Cleanup - Site Coordinator Information

What is the Site Coordinator responsible for?
Site Coordinators are the lead contacts and organizers for shoreline cleanups. They select a date and location to host a shoreline cleanup and manage a team of cleanup participants (of any size).

This important leadership role has a few key responsibilities which include:

Being familiar with their chosen shoreline location
Obtaining cleanup supplies and other related materials
Notifying local municipality and arranging waste disposal
Communicating with their team of participants
Completing and returning data cards and liability waivers

What type of cleanup supplies do I need to bring?
You will need to supply the basic materials for your group including garbage bags, recycling bags, pens/pencils and gloves. These basic items are easy to find and you could even ask your fellow participants to bring some as well. The amount you’ll need will depend on how many people you expect to show up, and typically a group of 3-4 can work together and share materials. For gloves we recommend canvas, as they are both durable and reusable. Other items you may want to consider are things such as clipboards, garbage pickers, sharps containers, and refreshments for your group. Another suggestion is to see if you can obtain any donated items from your local community.

The location I wanted to clean already has a cleanup event organized there. Can I still register to be the Site Coordinator?
No. You will need to find a different location to organize a cleanup event. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a popular program and this means that many shorelines will have cleanup events registered there quickly. Registration is first come first serve, so if the shoreline you had hoped to clean is already registered then we encourage you to submit a new shoreline location or to search for another nearby location that is still available. The more cleanups organized the better for our shorelines!

I’m not able to organize a cleanup during the official week in September. Can I still become a Site Coordinator?
We understand that September can be a very busy month for people, so we run the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup for a full week to help accommodate this. In cases where this still isn’t possible, other dates during September and October are also appropriate. Please contact us directly at shorelinecleanup@vanaqua.org or 1-877-427-2422 if you wish to discuss your schedule.

Am I responsible for getting approval to clean at the shoreline I registered?
Yes. It is your responsibility to get the necessary approvals to access the location and have a cleanup. While the shorelines listed on our website have typically been cleaned by groups in the past, these are not locations that have been formally chosen by our program staff. Your local municipality is the best place to start. When you contact them you are informing them of your intent to clean that location through our program and ensuring you have their permission to do so.

Am I responsible for disposing the waste from my cleanup? Who do I arrange this with?
This is the responsibility of every Site Coordinator and can be arranged privately or through your local municipality. Contact the local municipality to notify them of your cleanup and ask for guidance on where to leave collected items. We ask our Site Coordinators to organize this for their cleanup as we are not able to coordinate the specifics for each event. In the event that your municipality contacts us directly, then we will pass along any information. Please make sure that the disposal of your garbage and recycling bags has been arranged prior to your cleanup.

Can I get reimbursed for travel and other expenses?
No. While we are not able to reimburse any expenses you may incur during your cleanup, we are happy to provide a letter to notify individuals if there is a chance of having associated fees waived (eg. park access fees). These requests are dealt with on a case by case basis. Please contact us at shorelinecleanup@vanaqua.org or 1-877-427-2422 if you think you qualify.

Will local media hear about my cleanup?
It depends. A shoreline cleanup is an excellent example of communities coming together to help our environment and this is the type of “good news” stories that media loves to report on. While many of our cleanups do make their way to the local news, we can’t guarantee that all events will garner media attention. The Site Coordinator Manual contains a few tips on promoting your cleanup, however if you’d like additional assistance please e-mail shorelinemedia@vanaqua.org or call toll-free 1-800-375-8776.

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Helping at a Cleanup - Participant Information

Who will be my Site Coordinator?
Site Coordinators are volunteers, just like you. They come from all types of groups, be it schools, local businesses, environmental groups, or members of the general public. Their participation varies each year which means that a group who organizes a location one year may decide to clean a new shoreline the next. While we strongly support our Site Coordinators, please note that they are external to our organization. As such, the Vancouver Aquarium and the Great Canadian Shoreline cleanup staff cannot be held responsible for their actions. Be sure to contact your Site Coordinator before the cleanup to confirm their event. There is an online message centre for this very purpose.

How will I know where to meet?
This information is found in your online account from the “My Cleanups” menu. The locations displayed on the map are only approximate markers of each cleanup so you must log in to find out where to meet. All Site Coordinators are asked to specify a meeting location when they register but If the meeting location is not clear, contact your Site Coordinator using the online message centre and ask them to specify street names or nearby landmarks.

What should I bring to my cleanup?
Come prepared to clean, bring a handful of garbage bags and recycling bags, gloves (canvas ones are best), and a pen or pencil to record your findings. Don’t forget to dress for the weather and be sure to wear closed-toe shoes (i.e. no flip flops, sandals, or bare feet). There may be some other items the Site Coordinator would find helpful, so send them a friendly message after you’ve registered to see how you can help.

How long do cleanups last? What distance do they cover?
There is no set length of time or distance for a shoreline cleanup. A cleanup is a fun and rewarding event and the Site Coordinator will help determine the amount of time and length of shoreline that is most convenient for the group. This can vary according to the group, location, and amount of shoreline litter.

Can I use my participation towards community service hours for High School?
You most certainly can! Participating in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a great way to fulfill your community service requirement. Just bring any forms you need signed with you to the cleanup and show these to your Site Coordinator.

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