A group of older women in Massachusetts is making a splash by diving into Cape Cod’s ponds to remove underwater garbage. “Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage” was founded in 2018 by 86-year-old Susan Bauer and now has about 30 members. The divers have pulled everything from bottles and golf balls to concrete blocks and toilets from the water, removing an estimated 2.7 tons of trash.
The group cleans around 20 ponds a year, carefully checking water conditions and watching for toxic algae before each dive. Members must be at least 64, swim 800 meters in under 30 minutes, and be able to dive to about 2.5 meters without scuba gear. Their work gained widespread attention after a photo of the women retrieving a toilet went viral, and The Drew Barrymore Show donated $10,000 to the group in 2024.
For the women, the project is about more than environmental cleanup. It gives them a chance to see immediate results while staying active and building friendships. Many say the group has helped them through major life changes, including retirement, divorce, widowhood and relocation.
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