A new effort to reduce litter in Raleigh’s waterways took center stage Thursday as environmental advocates, city leaders and volunteers cut the ribbon on two new trash traps installed in Marsh Creek.
The project, led by Sound Rivers in partnership with the city of Raleigh and The Great Raleigh Cleanup, is part of a broader push to tackle pollution in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds.
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The event comes just ahead of World Water Day on March 22, a day dedicated to raising awareness about global water issues.
“These are our 10th trash traps between the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds,” said Emily Fritz, volunteer coordinator for Sound Rivers. “It’s a huge part of our litter-free rivers program, helping get litter out of our creeks while also giving volunteers a hands-on way to help clean up local waterways.”
A growing problem
Litter pollution is a major issue in North Carolina’s waterways, made worse by stormwater runoff. Unlike visible litter, stormwater carries hidden pollutants such as bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals from roads, sidewalks and rooftops directly into local creeks and rivers.
“This trash isn’t just coming from people throwing litter into the water,” said Samantha Krop, the Neuse Riverkeeper and director of advocacy for Sound Rivers. “Every time it rains, that runoff carries trash and pollutants into storm drains, which then flow into streams like Marsh Creek and, eventually, the Neuse River.”
The new traps are designed to catch floating litter before it reaches major waterways. Since installing the Marsh Creek traps in October, more than 4,000 pounds of trash have been removed by The Great Raleigh Cleanup’s workforce team.
How to get involved
Advocates say keeping North Carolina’s water clean requires a community-wide effort.
“This is a problem that affects all of us, and the solution has to come from all of us,” Krop said. “It’s not just one person’s job. We need land-use practices, city funding and programs like this to prevent pollution before it starts.”
Residents can help by volunteering with Sound Rivers or the Great Raleigh Cleanup, disposing of trash properly and supporting local water protection initiatives.