NEFAR REALTORS once again demonstrated their commitment to protecting Northeast Florida’s natural resources through the 2026 annual Waterways Cleanup, removing approximately 6,585 pounds of trash from local waterways, and once again collecting more trash than any other district in the state.
This year’s cleanup efforts took place in Putnam County on July 11, followed by additional cleanup events across Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties on July 18. Over 250 REALTOR members, affiliates, friends, family members, and other members of the community volunteered their time to help remove litter and debris from rivers, lakes, and shorelines throughout the region.
The annual Waterways Cleanup reflects NEFAR’s ongoing dedication to community service and environmental stewardship. By working together to improve local waterways, volunteers helped preserve the beauty of Northeast Florida while creating cleaner, healthier environments for residents and wildlife alike.
Across the state, the greater Cleanup Florida waters event removed 23,739 pounds (11.86 tons) of trash, 94 events were held, there were 1,339 Realtors and community volunteers, 121.15 miles of waterways/shorelines were cleared, and 31 associations participated.
From discarded plastics and household waste to larger debris, the efforts of volunteers made an immediate impact on the communities they serve while reinforcing the REALTOR commitment to giving back beyond the real estate profession.
NEFAR extends its sincere appreciation to every volunteer who dedicated their time and energy to this year’s cleanup. Their commitment continues to make a meaningful difference in protecting the region’s waterways for future generations.
Update (August, 7 2026): This article has been updated to reflect the final data from NEFAR’s cleanup initiatives. New data reveals that local volunteers removed a total of 6,585 pounds of trash from Northeast Florida waterways, making District 1 the number one collector in the state. We have also added statewide cleanup statistics to provide broader context on the collective impact of these environmental efforts.
