International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (ICCS)

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICCS) is an annual event conducted in 70-100 countries, coordinated by the US-based agency, The Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit organisation. 

The programme aims to remove and collect data on the debris from the shorelines, waterways and beaches of the world's lakes, rivers and oceans. This information serves to educate the public on marine debris issues and to encourage positive change by submissions to governmental and international organisations that will reduce debris in waterways and enhance aquatic environments.

The International Coastal Cleanup, Singapore (ICCS) is coordinated by Toddycats! - volunteers of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (formerly the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research) of the National University of Singapore. The programme is strongly supported numerous local and international schools, institutions and government bodies, private organisations and corporate entities who have battled the curse of marine litter for almost two decades. 

Since its inception by the Nature Society (Singapore) in 1992, the ICCS has had an average annual participation of 1,500 volunteers and average collection of 60,000 pieces of litter, making it one of Singapore’s largest environmental conservation programme.

The extent and scope of the ICCS has also grown over the years, from starting out on the beaches of East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park and Changi Beach, to pioneering mangrove cleanups in Mandai mangrove to comprehensive coverage of the island and an enhanced education programme about the marine environment.