Trash Sorting Challenge at Nash Run

Saturday, November 30, 2019
12:00 PM EST - 3:00 PM EST

Date: Saturday, November 30, 2019
Time: 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Meeting Location: Anacostia Ave NE and Douglas St NE (intersection), Washington DC, 20019 (Map)

• This site is about an 8-minute walk from the Deanwood Metro Station on the Orange Line

Event Description: Since its inception in 1989, AWS staff and volunteers have removed tons of trash from the Anacostia River each year. Our Nash Run Trash Trap cleanups have been a huge success in helping us to make progress towards our goal for a trash free Anacostia River.  This trash trap catches trash before it ends up in the River!  But our staff can’t manage this trap alone. Volunteers are critical to our plan to collect trash and monitor this trash trap.

At the event we will sort removed trash from this trap into 13 categories; plastic bottles, plastic grocery bags, food wrappers, Styrofoam food containers, other Styrofoam products, recreational balls, other plastics, glass bottles, aluminum cans, tires, treated lumber, other non-plastics, and large items. We will count the pieces of trash and measure the weight and volume for each category.

The data collected from our trash traps has helped to pass the (grocery) bag fee law in DC and brought a ripple effect into Montgomery County; and it has helped to ban the use of Styrofoam food packaging, etc. in DC, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. We still need to work on trash items such as beverage bottles, cans, and food wrappers, which is why we need your help! The data you help us collect will be used to educate the public and advocate for a better practice, such as the Bottle Deposit Bill.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the trash challenges of the Anacostia and what is being done to address them!

Physical Requirements: The task requires squatting down for a relatively long time, and may be physically demanding.  It is not suitable for young children.

Registration is required. Please register at least 2 days prior to the event date you chose to volunteer in order to receive additional information regarding proper clothing, etc. 

For more information, contact Emily Castelli at ecastelli2@anacostiaws.org or call 301-699-6204 x103.

Event Location

Nash Run Trash Trap
Anacostia Ave. NE and Douglas St NE
Washington, DC 20019