Nearly 4,700 volunteers statewide participated in the 22nd annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep litter cleanup on September 18, 2010, clearing 24 tons of debris from beaches, marshes, and waterways. Organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the Sweep is held in conjunction with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.
Beach Sweep/River Sweep is funded primarily from private sources, and major sponsors include Applied Technology and Management, BP Cooper River Plant, Charleston City Marina, Charleston Water System, Coastal Expeditions, Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, S.C. State Ports Authority, The Duke Energy Foundation, and Walmart Market #34. The next statewide Sweep is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011.