Potomac River Watershed Cleanup is Less Than Two Weeks Away
Volunteers Needed for Annual Cleanup Event

Citizens are reminded that the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 23rd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup will be held on Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. – noon. Volunteers are needed at numerous sites in Charles County for this annual event, which is held rain or shine. Adopt-a-road and community clean-ups in the watershed are also encouraged.

The Potomac River Watershed Cleanup is the largest single watershed cleanup in the area. Through a cooperative effort, federal, state, county, and city governments work with environmental and civic organizations, Boy/Girl Scout troops, school groups, and concerned citizens to clean up along the Potomac River and its tributaries in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

The Commissioners encourage individuals, families, and groups to volunteer at any one of the cleanup sites convenient to their neighborhood. The Potomac River Watershed Cleanup is also an excellent opportunity for high school students to earn community service hours.

Participants should wear boots or sturdy shoes and expect to get damp or dirty. Gloves and bags will be provided, as well as trash removal. For more information about the event, how to volunteer, or how to make your site part of the cleanup, contact the Charles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Resources Division at 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

2010 Cleanup Results:

CLEANUP SITES
575 Registered and Reporting Cleanup Sites in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia

  • At least 275 Cleanups on April 10th

TRASH DATA
251.9 Total Tons Removed (503,800 lbs)

  • 101.05 tons of loose trash (bulky items like furniture, scrap metal & debris, etc.)
  • 24.9 tons of tires
  • 13,945 bags of trash & recyclables

PARTNERS & VOLUNTEERS
14,537 Volunteers

  • Each volunteer removed an average of 34.66 pounds of trash
  • Over 425 participating groups and partners

RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
48.4 Tons Removed (193,600 containers) of recyclable glass, aluminum & plastic bottles

  • 15.1 tons of recyclable materials were actually recycled

TOP BRAND NAMES REPORTED

  • Budweiser/Bud Light, McDonalds, 7-11, Coca-Cola, Corona, Deer Park, Pepsi, Miller/Miller Lite

SAMPLE INTERESTING ITEMS FOUND:

    • 21,597 Plastic bags
    • 14,802 Cigarette Butts
    • 1,844 Tires
    • 3 Bicycles
    • 3 Canoes
    • 2 Couches
    • 1 Mattress
    • 2 Tents
    • 1 Sink
    • Boat anchor
    • Fishing rods
    • Wallet
    • Purse
    • Propane Tank
    • Chemical Barrels
    • Plastic Lawn Chair
    • DC Parking Ticket
    • Blender
    • Unopened Case of Bud Lite