Seven years ago, MJ Algarra started an organization to tackle the problem of trash dumped along our area shorelines. Gathering more than 12,000 followers, she greatly increased the impact of her efforts.
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“I founded ‘Clean This Beach Up’ on the belief that if one person can make a difference, collective effort can change the world,” Algarra said. “Since 2019, we’ve removed over 125,000 pounds of trash from South Florida shorelines with the help of our volunteer community. This journey has shown us that individual action truly matters and when people come together, the impact becomes unstoppable.”
Besides organizing cleanups throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties, from beaches and causeways to mangroves, reefs, and remote islands, they also seek to educate and inspire residents, visitors and businesses to move away from single-use plastics and become part of the solution.
“Recently, much of our work has focused on removing discarded fishing gear — nets, lines, traps, and other equipment left behind in the marine environment,” Algarra said. “In collaboration with Biscayne National Park, which began in 2023, our team has removed a total of 36,177 pounds of debris across 22 cleanups.
“This year alone, we’ve removed 16,234 pounds from these remote and uninhabited islands. These cleanups offer a clear glimpse into the reality of our oceans, as much of the debris is carried in by currents from around the world and washes up along our shores.”
To celebrate the group’s seven-year anniversary, it hosted a cleanup at the MacArthur Causeway, where 90 volunteers helped remove 2,076 pounds of debris. This location is one of Miami’s most iconic landmarks, sitting directly in front of the Port of Miami, and since 2019, they have removed more than 42,000 pounds of trash from this causeway alone.
“Education is also a key part of our work,” she added. “Through our STEM Ocean Explorers program, we partner with schools to bring students directly to the shoreline for hands-on learning about ocean conservation, marine life, and the impacts of plastic pollution.
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“Since launching the program in January 2025, we’ve engaged 285 students. To support our mission, we also collaborate with companies through corporate cleanups, helping them turn their corporate social responsibility goals into meaningful, hands-on impact.”
To volunteer or to donate go to www.cleanthisbeachup.org/.
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