The objective of these cleanups is to create a sense of ownership and pride in the volunteers and improve the water quality by removing the trash from the river.  Volunteers provide the labor to pick up the debris littering the shores of the river while the Shark River Cleanup Coalition provides the bags, gloves, refreshments, and dumpsters for the debris. Volunteers have included local residents, Boy Scouts, school groups, civic groups, environmental organizations, and Coalition Members. The organization works directly with the Township of Neptune and Monmouth County Clean Communities for trash removal.