Submitted by San Juan County

Islanders once again showed up in force to keep our shorelines and roadsides beautiful during the Fall 2025 Great Islands Clean-Up, held across San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw Islands.

This year’s volunteers removed an impressive 1,312 pounds of garbage and 50 pounds of recyclables from 92.5 miles of roads and beaches. A total of 137 volunteers participated, collecting not only large debris but also countless nurdles and other tiny pieces of plastic that threaten local wildlife and marine ecosystems.

“The Great Islands Clean-Up is a community tradition that shows the power of local action,” said Katie Fleming, Solid Waste Program Coordinator with the County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship. “Every spring and fall, residents and visitors join forces to protect the places we love.”

This bi-annual event is made possible through funding from the Washington Department of Ecology’s Community Litter Clean-Up Program, which supports local efforts to reduce litter statewide. The Great Islands Clean-Up is a collaborative effort led by San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship Solid Waste Program, in partnership with The Exchange/Orcas Recycling Services, Lautenbach Recycling, Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District, San Juan Sanitation, Friends of the San Juans, the Stewardship Network of the San Juans, and dozens of individual, business, and service-group volunteers.

To learn more about how to get involved in the next Great Islands Clean-Up, visit www.plasticfreesalishsea.org/events.