Every Wednesday morning, while most of Carolina Beach is still easing into the day, a group of dedicated locals gather with one shared mission: to keep our town clean, safe, and beautiful. They’re known as the CB Trash Walkers, and their impact on the community is both inspiring and measurable. From collecting thousands of pieces of litter to educating the public on sustainable practices, this volunteer-led group is turning early morning walks into powerful environmental action.
Who Are the CB Trash Walkers?
The CB Trash Walkers are a grassroots group of volunteers who clean up public areas across Carolina Beach, with a particular focus on high-traffic zones like the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Good Hops Brewing, and nearby beach accesses. This group includes people of all ages—retirees, students, parents with young kids, and even visiting tourists looking to give back.
They meet every Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Outdoor Stage, and the process is simple: show up with water, and everything else is provided. Gloves, trash bags, and hand-pickers so volunteers can safely and effectively remove litter from sidewalks, and other public spaces. Whether you have 30 minutes or the full hour, your participation helps protect local wildlife, reduce pollution, and enhance the beach-going experience for everyone.
One of the group’s strongest messages is accessibility. You don’t need to sign up in advance or bring special equipment. Everyone is welcome. If you love the beach and want to preserve its natural beauty, you already qualify.
How Much Trash Is Collected?
Each week, the CB Trash Walkers gather dozens of pounds of trash. On average, volunteers collect between 100 to 300 pounds per cleanup session, with totals sometimes exceeding that after busy weekends or holidays.
Over the course of a year, this can amount to over 5,000 pounds of trash that never makes it into our waterways, forests, or beaches. That’s thousands of cans, bottles, wrappers, plastic bags, vape cartridges, straws, and cigarette butts removed from the environment.
They often post weekly totals and photos of the collection, not to shame anyone, but to raise awareness of the impact that small pieces of litter can have when they accumulate. The goal is simple: if more people see the problem, more will be inspired to help solve it.
2025 Clean-up Count:
January 29: 133 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
March 12: 217 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
March 19: 410 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
March 26: 256 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
April 2: 121 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
April 9: 80 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
April 16: 98 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
April 23: 241 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
May 9: 145 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
May 14: 195 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
May 21: 165 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
May 28: 238 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
June 4: 198 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
June 11: 255 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
June 18: 330 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
June 25: 122 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
July 9: 361 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
July 16: 219 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
July 23: 464 pounds of trash collected in Carolina Beach
Why Picking Up Trash Matters
Litter isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a threat to our environment, health, and economy. Plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, and in the meantime, they release microplastics into the sand and water. Marine animals often mistake plastic and cigarette filters for food, which can lead to injury or death. It was exceptionally great too that the Plastic Ocean Project joined us during the event to spread awareness on these harmful microplastics and their ocean-friendly establishments campaign that many local businesses are involved in. We also planted 14 trees on July 9th with Trees4Trash, a mission that Plastic Ocean Project began by planting 1 tree for every 25 pounds of trash collected, a total of 361 pounds of trash was collected on July 9th by the CB Trash Walkers here in Carolina Beach.
Beyond environmental consequences, litter can also damage the local economy. Carolina Beach depends heavily on tourism, and visitors are less likely to return to a beach that looks dirty or neglected. Clean public spaces make people feel safer, prouder, and more connected to their surroundings.
The CB Trash Walkers operate on a powerful belief: every piece picked up is one less that ends up in the ocean.
Partnering with Keep New Hanover Beautiful to Recycle Cigarette Butts
One of the most remarkable aspects of the CB Trash Walkers’ efforts is their partnership with Keep New Hanover Beautiful (KNHB)—a nonprofit focused on litter prevention and beautification throughout the county. Together, they’ve introduced an innovative solution to one of the beach’s most persistent litter problems: cigarette butts. KNHB has over 400 cigarette butt disposable collection canisters installed around New Hanover County.
While they may be small in size, cigarette filters are one of the most littered items in the world, and Carolina Beach is no exception. The CB Trash Walkers collect thousands of them each month. But instead of tossing them in the trash, they send them to TerraCycle, a recycling company that breaks down the filters and turns them into durable outdoor products, like Trex decking boards.
This program keeps toxic chemicals like arsenic and nicotine out of the ocean and helps give waste a second life as something useful and long-lasting. It’s a fantastic example of circular recycling—an approach that aims to reuse materials in a continuous loop rather than letting them rot in a landfill or pollute marine ecosystems.
Thanks to this partnership, every butt counts—literally. The team keeps detailed records of their collections, and the results are staggering.
What Can Locals and Visitors Do to Help?
You don’t have to be part of a weekly cleanup to make a difference—although you’re always invited to join. Here are a few simple things locals and guests can do:
Bring a Bag
Next time you head to the beach, pack a small bag to collect litter as you go. You’d be amazed what a few extra minutes can accomplish. If you’re interested in donating bags to the CB Trash Walkers, we know the perfect environmentally-friendly biodegradable bag, made by Emily’s Choice!
Skip Single-Use Plastics
Opt for reusable water bottles, straws, and bags whenever possible. Less plastic used means less plastic to end up as litter. Some restaurants around Carolina Beach have already pledged to Skip the Straw and use friendlier straws upon request.
Use the Right Bins
Carolina Beach has installed recycling and trash bins at many beach accesses and public areas. Be sure to separate recyclables and trash properly. Before you go, it’s important to know: The “Pack it In, Pack it Out” mission is full-swing in Carolina Beach.
Spread the Word
Talk to friends and family about beach cleanliness. Follow the CB Trash Walkers on social media or share their posts to raise awareness.
Don’t Flick It
Smokers—please dispose of cigarette butts properly. If you need a portable ashtray, ask the CB Trash Walkers—they often have free ones available.
Support Local Cleanups
If Wednesdays don’t work for you, consider organizing a mini cleanup on your own or with friends. Even 10 minutes a week makes a difference. Or donate needed supplies for the next clean-up!
Support Our Community
The CB Trash Walkers are more than just a cleanup crew—they’re a community movement. Their dedication reminds us that protecting our environment doesn’t require grand gestures or perfect systems—it starts with small, consistent acts of care.
So if you love Carolina Beach—whether you live here year-round or just visit for a week—consider giving an hour of your time to join the Trash Walkers. It’s one of the easiest, most rewarding ways to give back to this special place we all enjoy.
Meet the CB Trash Walkers every Wednesday at 8:30 AM. Bring some water, and walk away knowing you helped keep the coast cleaner for everyone.
To learn more or get involved, follow them on social media or stop by the next cleanup. The beach will thank you—and so will your neighbors.
