Press Release

SAVE THE DATE  – YOU ARE INVITED:  MIAMI’S CALLE OCHO GETS AN EARTH DAY CLEANUP 

April 15, 2025

Calle Ocho, Miami, FL (April 15, 2025) – In honor of Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG and Debris Free Oceans are teaming up for a bold cleanup and community action event in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. 

More than 100 volunteers, local leaders, and community partners will gather on Calle Ocho to combat illegal trash dumping and pollution, and to demand lasting environmental justice for one of Miami’s most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods.

This cleanup is part of EARTH DAY.ORG’s Great Global Cleanup®, a global campaign aimed at removing waste and building sustainable, community-driven environmental solutions.—a symbolic and practical starting point for an effort that reaches far beyond litter removal. 

The cleanup is expected to draw local residents and college students, and from across the area of Calle Ocho. Many will be available on-site to share firsthand stories about the neighborhood’s environmental concerns and the ongoing push for a cleaner, healthier Little Havana. The morning kicks off with a free beach yoga class! District 5 County Commissioner Eileen Higgins has been invited to join the cleanup and speak, along with Islara Souto, Program Manager at Healthy Little Havana. 

LOCATION & DETAILS:

  • Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9:00AM- 12:30PM
  • Domino Park (1444 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135)

For media inquiries, to attend the event, set up interviews, get ‘before and after’ photos – please contact: : 

Michael Karapetian (EARTHDAY.ORG): He will be at the cleanup and available to the media

Maddie Kaufman (Debris Free Oceans): She will be at the cleanup and available to the media

Amanda DiPerna (Debris Free Oceans): She will be at the cleanup and available to the media

BACKGROUND: Volunteers will begin the morning with a community yoga session at 9:30AM, quick remarks and large-scale cleanup kicking off at 10:30AM, led by Debris Free Oceans. They have mapped out known dumping sites in the areas that despite efforts by local organizations continue to suffer from persistent illegal trash dumping. EARTHDAY.ORG and Debris Free Oceans are uniting to remove the waste and spotlight these issues by calling on local government leaders to act. 

“The Great Global Cleanup is about driving long-term change in communities affected by pollution. Debris Free Oceans is doing powerful work here in Miami, and we’re proud to stand with them this Earth Day to support Little Havana.” said Michael Karapetian, The Great Global Cleanup Coordinator at EARTHDAY.ORG.

“The health of our environment is deeply connected to the health of our communities. This Earth Day, we’re blending mindful movement with meaningful action to show that caring for ourselves and caring for the planet go hand in hand. By pairing activities like yoga with sustainability, Debris Free Oceans is aiming to reach broader audiences and help make zero-waste living a joyful, accessible part of everyday culture.” said Maddie Kaufman, Program Coordinator at Debris Free Oceans.

About Debris Free Oceans: Debris Free Oceans is a Miami-based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring local communities to responsibly manage plastic waste and eliminate marine debris through education, outreach, and action. Their work is rooted in a commitment to justice, sustainability, and long-term change.

About EARTHDAY.ORG: Founded in 1970 by the organizers of the first Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest environmental movement, mobilizing over a billion people annually to protect the planet and its people. Through campaigns like the Great Global Cleanup®, EARTHDAY.ORG connects people across borders to take action for a cleaner, greener future. Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG.

For Earth Day media inquiries: Terran Fielder, [email protected], +1 661 444 443