Clearwater
Collective
We unite volunteers, communities, and conservationists to remove waste from rivers, restore aquatic ecosystems, and protect the waterways that sustain all life.
Our Impact in Numbers
Every cleanup event, every volunteer hour, every piece of waste removed adds up to real, measurable change.
3,200+
Volunteers
People who have given their time to clean our rivers
48
Rivers Cleaned
Waterways restored across 18 states
180t
Waste Removed
Tonnes of trash and debris pulled from rivers since 2012
12
Years Active
Over a decade of sustained community-led action
Our Mission
Why we do this work, and how we do it.
Rivers belong to all of us
Clearwater Collective was founded in 2012 by a group of kayakers who kept paddling past the same piles of trash. They organized the first cleanup on the Fox River with 40 friends. Today, we run hundreds of events each year across the country, and our model has been replicated in seven other nations.
We believe the best way to protect a river is to bring people to it. When communities wade in together, they form lasting bonds with their local waterways -- and become their most vocal defenders.
How we operate
- Local chapter coordinators identify high-impact cleanup sites through water quality data and community reporting.
- Trained crew leaders guide volunteers safely through riverbanks, wetlands, and urban waterways.
- All collected waste is sorted, weighed, and logged so we can track progress and report to partners.
- We partner with municipal governments to ensure proper disposal and recycling of removed materials.
Ready to make a difference?
Join thousands of volunteers who have already given their time, energy, and care to the rivers that sustain us. The next cleanup event might be in your city.
Find a Cleanup Near You