Trash-Free Potomac & Shenandoah
TRASH POLLUTION IS A GROWING PROBLEM IN THE POTOMAC WATERSHED.
Several pollution sources endanger the Potomac River, but the most prevalent and obstructive pollution comes from trash. Arising from litter or illegal dumping, trash is washed into Potomac River during storm events. The trash eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean; trash impacts ecosystem health from our local tributaries to the open ocean.
Looking for Ways to Help? Volunteer Opportunities
Where is the pollution coming from?
Pollution comes from various sources, such as stormwater runoff, single-use plastics and microplastics.
- Habitat and ecosystem disruption, leading to altered habitat structure, reduced light levels, and depleted dissolved oxygen levels; this impacts animals from the smallest plankton to the apex predators.
- 86% of sea turtles, 44% of sea birds, and 43% of marine mammals adversely affected by marine debris that inflict organ damage, infections, lacerations, etc.
- Bioaccumulation of microplastic in fish may be passed on to humans through fishing and consumption.
- Health risks to humans, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive complications, and cancer — with ongoing research showing possible links to digestive and respiratory issues.
- Reduced recreational and aesthetic value in our waterways leading to the disruption of commercial and recreational fishing.
For 20+ years, our organization has made relentless efforts to enforce the Clean Water Act by monitoring the river health, organizing river clean ups, advocacy, and legal services.
- Reduced millions of pounds of toxins, pollution and pathogens from our rivers and surrounding areas
- Supported 12 active legal Clean Water Act cases
- Secured $1.4 million settlement for trash clean-ups and community science water quality monitoring
- Provided $1.5 million pro bono legal work
Though we have made a considerable amount of progress, our work is still not done. We need your help to continue to improve our water quality and uphold the Clean Water Act
WASHINGTON DC
- DC Bag Fee:
Since 2010, all businesses in the District that sell food or alcohol must charge 5 cents for every paper or plastic bag. You can avoid the fee and reduce the amount of plastic you use by bringing your own bag. Revenue from the bag fee funds the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund to install trash traps in the Anacostia and its tributaries. Over the past 10 years, 70,000 lbs of trash have been removed, and more than 29,000 linear feet of streams have been restored. - DC Plastic Straw Ban:
Effective January 1, 2019, any business or organization that serves food cannot provide single-use plastic straws or stirrers to their customers. Washington DC is part of Our Last Straw, a coalition of businesses and organizations in the DC area, committed to eliminating single-use plastic straws. In April 2018, Alice Ferguson Foundation and Anacostia Watershed Society collected over 3,500 straws at their river cleanups. - Foam Free DC:
Since January 1, 2016, all businesses and organizations are banned from serving food in expanded polystyrene (EPS) containers. This includes plates, cups, clamshells, foam peanuts, and other foam packaging items.
MARYLAND
- Montgomery County:
Montgomery County has a five-cent fee for all retail establishments for giving out paper or plastic bags. The revenue goes to the Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Expanded polystyrene foam food packaging was banned from restaurants and retail stores in 2015. - Statewide:
Beginning July 1, 2020, expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service products will be banned. Legislation has been introduced to ban all plastic shopping bags and charge a fee for paper in the entire state. It would charge customers 10 cents for “durable bags” like paper bags at checkout.
VIRGINIA
- A bill has been proposed that would implement a five-cent fee on plastic bags. Visit Litter Free Virginia to stay up to date on plastic-related legislation in Virginia.
FEDERAL
- The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 has been introduced in both the House and Senate. This bill would reduce single-use plastic production and use, improve producer responsibility in design, recycling, and disposal of their consumer products, and prevent pollution from consumer products from entering waterways.
Using the Water Reporter App to Report Trash Hotspots
JOIN US AT OUR NEXT RIVER CLEAN-UP!
We host volunteer cleanup events throughout our Potomac and Shenandoah watersheds. Be part of a growing community of volunteers dedicated to improving access to our beautiful rivers!
Some of our larger clean-ups occur monthly at National Harbor and at Oronoco Park at the Alexandria Waterfront, as well as an annual Earth Day event at Oxon Run Park. To participate, click on our Events Calendar for details on these and other upcoming events.
FOR NATIONAL HARBOR
Sign-in opens 30 minutes before event time. We will meet at the National Harbor Carousel Lot (not far from the Capital Wheel, GPS Coordinates are 38.7862097, -77.0164488). Volunteers will receive parking vouchers for any of the National Harbor Garages or Carousel Lot (excluding the Gaylord Hotel and street meters), courtesy of our friends at National Harbor.
FOR ORONOCO PARK AT ALEXANDRIA WATERFRONT
Sign-in opens 30 minutes before event time at Oronoco Park.
Parking is available at the end of Madison Street, and additional parking is available around the park. Parking is free on Sundays.
These events are basic to our mission of enhancing public use and enjoyment of local rivers. Please join PRKN staff for a fun and productive morning on the beautiful Potomac.
Gloves and bags will be provided. Participants should bring drinking water and wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. Volunteers must complete a safety waiver and we encourage folks to do this in advance. Please bring a signed waiver to the event; waivers can be downloaded here.
