The ReefClean program is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and is delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
Great Barrier Reef Clean-up - Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up?
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up is a flagship initiative of Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s ReefClean program, delivered in collaboration with Clean Up Australia, and funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up brings communities together to help protect the Great Barrier Reef from marine debris.
Throughout October, people across the Great Barrier Reef region and its connected catchments can register a clean-up or join one near them, helping remove litter before it reaches our waterways, coastline and Reef.
Every clean-up also contributes valuable data to better understand where marine debris comes from and support long-term solutions to prevent it at the source.
When and where is the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up taking place?
When: The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up takes place throughout October 2026.
Where: Clean-ups are held across Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef region and its connected catchments — from inland waterways and rivers to the coast and islands.
Who can participate?
Anyone can take part in the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up.
Individuals, families, schools, community groups, businesses and organisations can all get involved by registering their own clean-up or joining an existing event.
You don’t need to live on the coast, either. Clean-ups can take place across the Great Barrier Reef region and its connected catchments, including local parks, streets, creeks, rivers, beaches and waterways.
Do I have to run my own clean-up to be a part of the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up?
No, you don’t have to run your own clean-up. You can also volunteer at a local public clean-up event. To see the locations of public clean-ups, check out our interactive map.
Do I need to register to join or run a clean-up?
Yes! Registering helps us plan and ensure safety. Without registering your own clean-up, we can’t send you your free clean-up kit! You can register to run or join a local clean-up near you.
How does my clean-up help the Great Barrier Reef?
Your clean-up helps protect the Great Barrier Reef by removing litter before it can travel through streets, drains, creeks and rivers into the ocean.
By recording what you collect, you also contribute valuable data that helps identify where marine debris is coming from and supports long-term solutions to stop it at the source.
Whether you’re cleaning up inland or along the coast, your actions are part of a bigger effort to protect the entire Great Barrier Reef catchment.
Can I join if I’m not local?
Yes! Visitors and tourists are welcome (but please organise your own travel and accommodation).
How can I support if I can’t attend?
You can spread the word, run your own local clean-up or make a donation to help remove and prevent marine debris.
Running a Clean-up
Can I run a clean-up with just my own friends or family?
Yes! Your clean-up can be as big or as small as you like. When registering, you can list your event as a ‘private event,’ so it won’t be advertised publicly.
Can I run a clean-up with my workplace, community group, or business?
Absolutely! You can organise a clean-up event with your workplace, community group, or business. If you do, please submit a high-quality PNG of your logo so we can create free branded promotional assets to support your event.
What equipment do I need to run a clean-up?
You’ll need bags for debris collection, gloves, and sharps containers. We provide these in your FREE clean-up kits—just request them when you register your event.
It’s also good to bring sunscreen, drinking water, insect repellent, and a first aid kit. For a full equipment list, check out our Clean-up Toolkit when registering.
What should I do with the rubbish collected from my clean-up?
Use the local bins provided at your site if the debris load is small. If you are expecting lots of debris, contact your local council for assistance with rubbish disposal.
Make sure you let them know that the debris was collected during a GBRCU beach clean-up!
Can Tangaroa Blue provide free waste disposal?
Unfortunately, this decision is at the discretion of each local council. We recommend notifying your council of your clean-up event and your proposed debris disposal date, so that they can be best prepared when you arrive for disposal.
Letting the council know that the debris has been collected from a GBRCU beach clean-up is important, so they are aware that it’s not personal or residential debris.
Can a Tangaroa Blue Foundation staff member come to my clean-up event?
Unfortunately, our staff are busy leading other clean-ups in October and cannot attend your event. We will be leading some staff-led public clean-ups, which will be displayed on the interactive Map.
What should I bring as a volunteer?
Clean-up kits are provided; please wear enclosed shoes, bring weather protection, and your water bottle.
Is training or experience required?
No experience is required for a clean-up. We provide a Clean-up Toolkit with everything you need to make your day a success!
Data Entry
Do I have to sort and enter data on the debris collected?
At Tangaroa Blue Foundation, data is key to our efforts and success in reducing marine debris. It means we can track debris at each site to the source and find ways to stop it from arriving on our beaches in the first place.
At a minimum, please record the number of bags collected, the total weight of the debris collected, and take photos of any interesting items (eg, items with foreign labels/branding).
We encourage you to have a go at sorting the debris by material type into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database, which is very user-friendly and easy to follow. You can add as much or as little information as you like.
