Port Tampa Bay and the Propeller Club of Tampa Bay are set to sponsor Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful's fourth annual Great Port Clean-up. The event is scheduled for April 26, 2024, around the waters of Tampa Bay, following Earth Day. The inaugural clean-up in 2021 received the American Association of Port Authorities’ Lighthouse Award of Excellence for Environmental Enhancement and has served as a model for other seaports.
In last year's clean-up, over 851 volunteers collected nearly 80,000 pounds of trash and removed 30,000 pounds of invasive plant species from the area. Although much of the debris originated outside the port, the maritime community at Port Tampa Bay remains committed to maintaining trash-free waters.
Paul Anderson, President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay, stated: “Port Tampa Bay is a proven leader on environmental sustainability and we are pleased to continue the success of the Great Port Clean Up, alongside our community. We believe that industry and nature can co-exist."
Debbie Evenson, Executive Director of Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, emphasized: “The Great Port Cleanup started as a vision to have Port Tampa Bay and its business partners show environmental stewardship by participating in a day of service to cleanup in and around the port."
Colt McCay, President of Propeller Club – Port of Tampa added: “The Propeller Club is excited to partner with Port Tampa Bay and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to improve our coastal environment by participating in the Great Port Clean Up."
The clean-up will occur at several locations near Port Tampa Bay from 9 to 11 a.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m. Participants can register through Eventbrite.