How To Host A River Cleanup Day

Last Updated on September 3, 2022 by Diane Hoffmaster

Wondering how to host a river cleanup day?  It's not at all difficult and is a great way to get involved in your local community. I am always looking for ways for my family to get involved in community service projects.  There are so many worthwhile organizations that need a helping hand. It's hard to pick just one or two. 

Environmental awareness is a priority in my house. When my daughter's Girl Scout Troop was given the opportunity to participate in a river cleanup day, I thought it would be a great experience.  I wanted to share a few tips that we learned this weekend as we ventured out on our Yellow River Trash Bash!

 

River Cleanup Day Tips

Participating in a river cleanup day is a great way to clean up your local community.  However, you need to make sure you are prepared for the adventure!  Here are a few things we learned this weekend!

Dress appropriately:  

Wear old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and wet.  Choose long pants and maybe even long sleeves.  Wear sturdy work boots or waterproof hiking boots.

Bring the right supplies:  

You don't want to go on a river cleanup day empty-handed.  You will need: Large plastic bags, work gloves, orange safety vests (protects from cars, hunters, etc), and trash grabber tools.

Protect yourself:  

Bring sunscreen and/or bug spray to protect yourself.  Bring water as well to protect yourself from dehydration.

Use the buddy system:  

Make sure you buddy up so that no one is alone.  This is an important safety tip for both kids and adults.

Make short trips from a central location. 

Your trash will be heavy and you will need to unload it at a designated central location.  If you are choosing a section of the river, start in the center of that section.  Go down the river, then come back and unload.  Then go upriver and come back and unload.

Separate your trash if possible for recycling:  

Some trash can be recycled and other types can't.  Try to recycle what you can.

Engage the community and look for sponsors:  

Tackling a river cleanup day on your own can be a lot of work.  Try to get the whole community involved.  Ask for sponsors from local restaurants for a post-cleanup lunch. Choose a theme to work around.  Make it a part of Earth Day or World Gratitude Day! 

Common Questions About River Cleanup Day

Wondering what this environmental day of service is all about?  Here are a few answers to common questions you might have:

What is river cleanup day?

River Cleanup Day is an annual event organized by American Rivers, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore rivers and streams.

During River Cleanup Day, volunteers from all over the country come together to clean up rivers and streams.

What is the purpose of river cleanup day?

River cleanup day is an event that is organized to remove trash and debris from rivers and streams.

This helps to keep the water clean and safe for people, animals, and plants. It also helps to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and stewardship.

By working together to clean up rivers, we can help to protect this valuable resource for future generations.

Where is river cleanup day?

You can participate in a River Cleanup from anywhere you happen to live. Look for an organized cleanup in your region on AmericanRivers.org

Having Fun at the Yellow River Trash Bash

My daughter and I had a lot of fun at our Yellow River Trash Bash this weekend, although it was definitely hard work!  We were lucky that the organizers of the event had plenty of great sponsors as well as tons of supplies and a knowledgeable guide!

I  was amazed at how much trash we found once we actually started looking.  Much of the trash had obviously been there for 40 or 50 years based on the age and style of the cans and bottles.  We brought bags and buckets and after only about 90 minutes we could barely carry everything back out of the woods!

We found plenty of trash on the river banks which the girls happily lugged through the woods quite a way.  Of course, what got them most excited was the turtle they found, the bunny that we accidentally scared out of the underbrush, and some fun river crossings which gave them an excuse to get their feet wet.

After working up an appetite for a couple of hours, we were happy to return to the pavilion and bathrooms to wash up and indulge in a few slices of pizza.  I think we did a pretty good just this weekend on our river cleanup day and am hopeful that we can join the Yellow River Trash Bash again next year!

How to Start a River Cleanup

Check out CreatetheGood.org for more information about how to start a river cleanup in your area!