Protect Our Waterways
According to the EPA, 80% of marine debris comes from land-based sources. By keeping our neighborhoods clean, we can reduce the amount of litter in our streams, rivers, lakes, marshes, and ultimately, our oceans. Read our tips below to learn what you can do to help from home. You can also download this as a fact sheet.
Photo by Tom Wilson/GNPA
Trash Travels
Even if you live miles away from a river, stream, or ocean, you may be polluting them without even realizing it. Trash can enter our waterways directly from boats, beachgoers, or fishermen, but it can also arrive indirectly from land. Wind can transport it from roadsides, parking lots, and trails, and it can also travel through storm drains. Each time it rains, water flows over our lawns, sidewalks, driveways, and streets. Along the way, it not only picks up fertilizer, motor oil, and pet waste, but common forms of litter like plastic bags, food packaging, and cigarette butts. Unlike sewers, storm drains are not connected to water treatment plants, so this all flows unchecked into streams, rivers, and creeks. This means that every piece of litter truly counts: a fast food wrapper tossed in North Georgia could end up all the way in the Atlantic Ocean.
How to Help At Home
There are multiple steps you can take in your own neighborhood to prevent litter from entering our waterways.
Never throw anything into the street or down a storm drain--if you’re traveling by car, keep a small bag in the backseat for trash so you can dispose of it properly later
If you’re out walking or visiting a local park, dispose of your trash in a receptacle
Secure garbage and recycling bin lids to keep their contents from overflowing or blowing away
Bag pet waste and place it in a bin
Pick up trash in the street when you see it
Reduce the amount of waste you create in the first place by investing in reusable dishware
Share these tips with your neighbors and friends
Clean Water, Clean Life
Removing trash and debris from the environment goes beyond beautifying our homes and public spaces. It improves the health of humans and wildlife alike. Litter adds toxins to water, making it unsafe to drink. It can also have an adverse affect on the habitats of aquatic animals and harm them through ingestion or entanglement. When we make an effort to keep our waterways clean, we lessen these risks and reduce physical hazards that negatively impact recreational activities such as swimming, boat navigation, and shoreline walks.
Want to get more involved?
Find a KGBF affiliate near you and participate in a local cleanup
Sign our pledge against litter and help spread the word