The 29th Alabama Coastal Cleanup is Saturday, September 17, from 8 a.m. until noon. Over nearly three decades of work to “get the trash out of the splash,” more than 83,000 volunteers have removed more than 1.5 million pounds of trash from Alabama’s coastline and waterways.

The City of Fairhope has participated in the Alabama Coastal Cleanup for the past 12 years said Paige Crawford, events coordinator for the City. “On the day of the cleanup, the Fairhope Public Utilities Electric Department provides a public power display and the City Gas Department cooks hotdogs for all volunteers. Also, the Public Works Department provides an on-site dumpster for debris collected during the cleanup, and the City’s Recycle Committee uses the cleanup as a platform for offering education about recycling programs. We always get a great turnout. Last year, we had 694 volunteers in Fairhope.”

Fairhope is one of almost 20 cleanup zones in Baldwin County alone, according to www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com. Cleanup supplies are provided, and volunteers who come out early will receive a free T-shirt. Participants are reminded to drink plenty of fluids, wear sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes, supervise children, and be aware of not damaging fragile ecosystems. They are advised to not attempt to remove dangerous or heavy items but to report the location to the zone captain for proper disposal. The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is part of an international effort led by the Ocean Conservancy to remove debris from coastal waters.

To register your group or organization to take part in this year’s Fairhope Coastal Cleanup event, call 251-929-1466.