About Us
Founded by a 10 year old
Trash Turtles is a youth focused environmental awareness and clean up non-profit company. We were founded by CO in February of 2020. Her initial goal was to solve for a problem she saw on heroical beach, trash being raked into the ocean. When she was unsatisfied by the answers she got from the powers that be, CO decided to take things into her own hands. Trash Turtles was founded to 'Save the planet one piece of trash at a time" and to raise awareness about how our everyday lives impact our environment. Our trademark tagline of #LeaveWith3 is not just a hashtag but a way of life. Use less plastic, put trash where it belongs, and Leave With 3 pieces of extra trash where ever you go.
Trash Turtle Nation
Trash Turtle Nation is the community that has grown around our work.
It includes students, families, volunteers, schools, businesses, environmental organizations, and people across the country who believe that caring for the planet should feel accessible, positive, and possible.
Through our social platforms, cleanups, partnerships, educational content, and community events, we share environmental stories, spotlight issues that deserve attention, and give people practical ways to get involved.
That community has also opened the door to collaborations with organizations including the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots USA, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Surfrider Foundation, Save Our Shores, universities, schools, and businesses working toward similar goals.
You don’t need to live near the ocean, organize a cleanup, or be an environmental expert to be part of Trash Turtle Nation. You just need to care enough to do something.
What's Next?
Trash Turtles is entering an exciting new chapter on the West Coast.
Our move to California has opened the door to new communities, new coastlines, and new opportunities to grow the Trash Turtle Nation. With Monterey Bay now part of our backyard, we are expanding our work through local cleanups, environmental education, youth engagement, and collaborations with organizations that share our commitment to protecting the places we all love.
We are also building new partnerships with schools, universities, environmental organizations, and community groups that will help us take our message further and create more opportunities for people to get involved.
The location may be new, but the goal is the same: bring people together, make environmental action feel possible, and keep finding new ways to turn awareness into impact.
And we’re just getting started.