From our coastlines to capitols, the momentum to tackle plastic pollution is building—and Surfrider is making waves. In the first quarter alone, our network of grassroots activists, volunteers, and ocean-friendly businesses has already made a measurable impact: removing thousands of pounds of trash from beaches, celebrating businesses that are eliminating single-use plastics, and advancing policies that protect our ocean for future generations.
This is more than progress—it’s proof that collective action works. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far in 2026, and how you can be part of what comes next.
One of Surfrider’s flagship efforts, the Beach Cleanup program goes beyond removing trash—it turns data into action. With the help of volunteers nationwide, we not only host hundreds of cleanups each year, but also collect critical data that informs our campaigns to reduce plastic pollution at the source.
By the end of the first quarter, we were already off to a strong start: 3,135 volunteers removed 13,374 pounds of debris during 111 cleanups—that’s roughly the weight of an adult female orca!
A huge haul at the Jersey Shore Chapter Cleanup!
The Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) and Ocean Friendly Hotels (OFH) programs continue to grow, now including 647 restaurants and 42 hotels nationwide. Among the newest additions are an Ocean Friendly Dining Hall at Point Loma Nazarene University, six new Great Lakes Friendly Restaurants, and the first Ocean Friendly Hotel in Maine!
The collective impact is powerful: Ocean Friendly Restaurants serve over 43 million single-use plastic-free meals a year, while Ocean Friendly Hotels save 2 million plastic water bottles and 2.9 million mini toiletry bottles every year.
Policy change remains one of the most effective ways to combat plastic pollution—and momentum is building.
New Jersey is kicking off the year with two major victories. The first victory is a statewide “Skip the Stuff” law, which shifts the default for takeout and delivery so that utensils, condiments, and other items are provided only upon request, rather than automatically.
Even more notably, the law requires restaurants with seating for more than 10 customers to serve on-site diners with reusable foodware—setting a new standard as the strongest policy of its kind. This forward-thinking approach reduces plastic waste while saving businesses money—a win for restaurants, customers, and the ocean alike.
New Jersey has also been gaining momentum in passing local construction dust ordinances. Most recently, the South Jersey Chapter helped pass an ordinance in Stafford Township, NJ, that requires construction sites to contain and remove plastic particles and dust that is made when cutting or drilling boards made of chemically treated lumber and composite plastic. Without requirements to contain these pollutants, they quickly blow or drain into the local environment, making it impossible to clean up.
With approximately 50 active plastic pollution campaigns nationwide, Surfrider is pushing for bold, systemic solutions—from holding producers accountable for packaging waste to banning the most pervasive single-use plastics.
The Plastic Pollution Initiative had a busy first quarter, but our work is just getting started!
Header image: Morgan Maassen