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Litter in Our Watershed
You might not have dropped it, but litter is still trashing your community- and the Bay.
Litter can happen unintentionally, spilling from over-filled recycling bins, sneaking out when car doors are opened, or falling from pockets and purses. No matter its source, all that litter adds up to a big problem. A 2021 study by Keep America Beautiful (KAB) estimated that there are nearly 50 BILLION pieces of litter along American roadways and waterways.
Litter doesn't stay local. While it looks unsightly along roadways and trails, it has an even worse impact when it ends up in waterways. Wind and rain move litter into local rivers and streams, which carry it further downstream. That fast food cup you saw someone throw out their window the other day? It could now be in the Monocacy River and on its way to the Chesapeake Bay. 80% of the trash in the ocean comes from land-based sources.
What Can You Do?
Check out the resources below to download our flyer, organize a cleanup event, or share facts and resources in the community.
Use our flyer to help educate your community about litter!
https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/352021/Litter-Toolkit-Flyer
Project Clean Stream
Every spring tens of thousands of volunteers come together to pick up trash from local streams, creeks, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods as part of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's annual Project Clean Stream - the largest cleanup event in the Chesapeake Bay region! Cleanups take place across the entire Chesapeake watershed, in all 6 Bay states an D.C., from March 1st to June 9th.
Register a cleanup site or find an event near you to volunteer!
Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
The Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, the largest regional event of its kind, provides a transforming experience that engages residents and community leaders and generates momentum for change. The Potomac River Watershed Cleanup has grown from a small shoreline cleanup at Piscataway National Park to a watershed wide network. What started as a few cleanup events along the Potomac River is now a regional event spanning Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Register a cleanup site or find a site near you to volunteer!
Contact Suzanne Cliber for more information.
Frederick County Adopt-A-Road Program
Frederick County offers an Adopt-A-Road program to local organizations to adopt sections of Frederick County roads for litter cleanup. The adoption lasts for two years, with an option to renew for two additional one-year periods. More information can be found on the Adopt-A-Road page!
D.E.E. Sponsored Trail & Stream Litter Cleanup Events
The Division of Energy and Environment periodically recruits volunteers to help with litter cleanup events. Want to pitch in? To stay informed of upcoming events...
Litter's Impact On Our Waterways
Litter, especially plastics, is one of the most serious threats to our aquatic ecosystems, which impacts human and wildlife health. The KAB study estimated 26 billion pieces of litter along the banks of the nearly 11 million miles of U.S. waterways.
- It can clog and disrupt storm sewer systems, increasing the risk of flooding.
- It can be mistaken by wildlife as food, often with fatal results.
- It adds chemical pollutants to the environment- including the waters used for drinking and agricultural purposes.
- It's gross. Litter ruins the recreational aspects we love: swimming, boating, and fishing our waterways.
- 50 BILLION pieces of litter
- That's 152 pieces of litter per resident
- More than 2,500 pieces of litter per road mile
- 2.6 billion wrappers/single-use food packaging
- 350 million plastic bags
- 400 million fast-food cups
- 423 million fast-food packages
- 207 million masks & gloves
- 184 million glass soda & beer bottles