A sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nose shocked people around the world. Our ancestors developed plastics and our lives have become more convenient, but the ocean is becoming critically polluted. We, their descendants, need to change the situation.

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A high school boy, a member of the Japan Rachel Carson Council, learned that there are people in some communities who encourage each other to pick up litter. He started a group to work together beyond national borders, believing that these efforts should be extended to the youth of the world, not only to reduce litter but to change the next generation's culture of littering. One by one, fellow litter pickers joined that group, and the group began to move.

 

The group was named "Cleanup Ninja TURTLES" after a popular turtle cartoon. The logo was created in a handmade woodblock print by a high school girl of the group, hoping to return the ocean to a clean place where sea turtles can live in peace.

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Awards from several organizations, including MEEA, NSHSS, and Algalita, encourage the continued efforts of TURTLES members worldwide.