Debris Free Oceans Cleanup Doubles as a Mixer for Local Singles

Tired of all the trash on dating apps? If you're getting "the ick," it might be time for a cleanup.

This Saturday, Debris Free Oceans (DFO) is hosting Red Flag, Green Flag, a meet-cute/capture-the-flag game doubling as a mangrove cleanup at Coconut Grove's Peacock Park. The meetup, dubbed "Miami’s trashiest singles event," is open to singles 21 and over, especially "baddies in the streets and neat freaks on the beach" — as long as they're willing to get their hands a little dirty.

Caiti Waks, DFO's cofounder and president, came up with the idea when she realized her clean-up events had become accidental matchmaking opportunities. By her estimates, at least two marriages and one engagement have resulted from attendees meeting at DFO events.

"You're going to find good people here," she says of Saturday's event at Peacock Park. "A lot of people who have come to Debris Free Oceans events talk about how they've met lifelong friends with us, and some even find their life partner."

A self-proclaimed "lawyer and surfer who's obsessed with garbage," Waks started the organization in 2014 when she identified the need for a local nonprofit that focused solely on the plastic pollution crisis. Miami produces more trash per capita than any other city in the United States, Waks tells New Times.

"Landfills are full, and we're shipping trash out of the city now because we just don't have space for it anymore." But rather than scolding or fearmongering the community into action, Waks wants to empower and inspire locals to act.

"Debris Free Oceans was founded to bring a positive light to a really challenging subject and show people action-oriented steps that they can [take] to be a part of this solution," says Waks. "We encourage participants to connect with incredible people in the community in order to effect change."

New Times will be on-site to interview singles at a "Free Dating Advice" pop-up at the event. You can also grab bites and drinks from local food vendors before the games begin.

Singles will then separate into two teams and compete in a capture-the-flag contest in which they'll utilize their dating expertise to differentiate between potential partners' red and green flags. During the game, players will work together to clean up as much trash as possible from Peacock Park's mangrove forest. The team with the largest haul will take home a prize, and all players and spectators are encouraged to stick around for a singles' mingle after the game.

Singles should come ready to sweat, so guests are encouraged to wear comfortable athleisure. Bring a reusable water bottle (read: no single-use plastics), mosquito repellant, sunscreen, and shoes you won't mind getting dirty. DFO will provide trash bags and gloves.

Red Flag, Green Flag With Debris Free Oceans. 3 p.m. Saturday, February 8, at Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd., Miami; debrisfreeoceans.org. Admission is free for spectators and tickets for players cost $7.65 via eventbrite.com.