To combat plastic pollution in the Salish Sea, RE Sources regularly hosts beach cleanups in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom county, providing a place to connect with like-minded community members and an opportunity to leave a positive impact on our shorelines.
Why should you come to a beach cleanup?
Plastic pollution is everything from microtrash we cannot see to cellophane and bottles—all of which pose a threat to ecosystems everywhere. Unfortunately, streams and beaches have a tendency to collect plastic debris, which then degrade, releasing microplastics into our drinking water, rivers, and oceans. Removing trash at any point in this cycle means there’s less in the places we care about and rely on. Beach cleanups are just one way of doing just that, and a good excuse to get outside and enjoy our local coastlines.
When is the next cleanup?
We’re glad you asked! Please check our Events page for the most up-to-date information. We host six per year (about one every two months), including a few staples: Earth Day in April, a post-Fourth of July cleanup, and a local cleanup for International Coastal Cleanup in September. Most cleanups are in or near Bellingham, including along Bellingham Bay, Whatcom and Squalicum Creeks, and farther north at Cherry Point.
How else does RE Sources combat plastic pollution in the Salish Sea?
We advocate for and mobilize the public to push lawmakers to pass bold policies that limit plastic waste at the local, statewide, and national levels. Most recently, we urged the Washington State Legislature to pass bills that reduce plastic pollution, like the 2025 Recycling Reform Act. Additionally, our North Sound Waterkeeper team goes on regular pollution patrols throughout our nearby waterways.
