Trash-Free Potomac & Shenandoah

TRASH POLLUTION IS A GROWING PROBLEM IN THE POTOMAC WATERSHED.

Several pollution sources endanger the Potomac River, but the most prevalent and obstructive pollution comes from trash. Arising from litter or illegal dumping, trash is washed into Potomac River during storm events. The trash eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean; trash impacts ecosystem health from our local tributaries to the open ocean.

Where is the pollution coming from?

Pollution comes from various sources, such as stormwater runoff, single-use plastics and microplastics.

Stormwater runoff occurs when pollution—including trash, pesticide, bacteria, oil, and many other harmful substances—builds up on impermeable surfaces. When it rains, the pollution is washed into storm drains and eventually our waterways, often without being treated.

Stormwater Runoff

Single-use plastics are plastic products that are manufactured with the purpose of being discarded after one use. Once items like soda bottles, disposable cutlery, and shopping bags are used, they’re disposed of and enter the environment. About 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, half of which was produced in the last 15 years. Unfortunately, 91% of plastics are not recycled. Instead, they are incinerated, slowly degrade in landfills, or remain whole while entering the environment.

Single Use Plastics

Microplastics are pieces of plastic debris that are less than 5mm in size but can stay in the environment for a hundred thousand years. There are two types of microplastics: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are purposely made, often used in cosmetics or microfibers in clothing; synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester and acrylic can be degraded into fibers. Secondary microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Both primary and secondary microplastics can be ingested by plankton at the bottom of the food chain, eventually making its way to larger marine mammals, fish, and humans.

Microplastics

2026 Trash-Tracker (lbs)

WHY IS PLASTIC POLLUTION A PROBLEM?

Health risks to humans, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive complications, and cancer — with ongoing research showing possible links to digestive and respiratory issues.
Habitat and ecosystem disruption, leading to altered habitat structure, reduced light levels, and depleted dissolved oxygen levels; this impacts animals from the smallest plankton to the apex predators.
Reduced recreational and aesthetic value in our waterways leading to the disruption of commercial and recreational fishing.
Bioaccumulation of microplastic in fish may be passed on to humans through fishing and consumption.
86% of sea turtles, 44% of sea birds, and 43% of marine mammals adversely affected by marine debris that inflict organ damage, infections, lacerations, etc.

WHAT IS PRKN DOING TO CURB PLASTIC POLLUTION?

For 20+ years, our organization has made relentless efforts to enforce the Clean Water Act by monitoring the river health, organizing river clean ups, advocacy, and legal services.

Reduced millions of pounds of toxins, pollution and pathogens from our rivers and surrounding areas
Supported 12 active legal Clean Water Act cases
Secured $1.4 million settlement for trash clean-ups and community science water quality monitoring
Provided $1.5 million pro bono legal work

Though we have made a considerable amount of progress, our work is still not done. We need your help to continue to improve our water quality and uphold the Clean Water Act

D.C. Bag Fee
D.C. Plastic Straw Ban
Foam Free D.C.
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020, introduced in both the House and Senate, would reduce single-use plastic production and use, improve producer responsibility in design, recycling, and disposal of products, and prevent pollution from consumer products.

D.C. & FEDERAL

Montgomery County: Montgomery County has a five-cent fee for all retail establishments for giving out paper or plastic bags. The revenue goes to the Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Expanded polystyrene foam food packaging was banned from restaurants and retail stores in 2015.
Statewide: Beginning July 1, 2020, expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service products will be banned. Legislation has been introduced to ban all plastic shopping bags and charge a fee for paper in the entire state. It would charge customers 10 cents for “durable bags” like paper bags at checkout.

MARYLAND

A bill has been proposed that would implement a five-cent fee on plastic bags. Visit Litter Free Virginia to stay up to date on plastic-related legislation in Virginia.

VIRGINIA

HELP US KEEP THE POTOMAC & SHENANDOAH TRASH-FREE!

We host volunteer cleanup events throughout our Potomac and Shenandoah watersheds. Be part of a growing community of volunteers dedicated to improving access to our beautiful rivers! To participate, click on our Events Calendar for details on upcoming events.

These events are basic to our mission of enhancing public use and enjoyment of local rivers. Please join PRKN staff for a fun and productive morning on the beautiful Potomac.

Gloves and bags will be provided. Participants should bring drinking water and wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. Volunteers must complete a safety waiver and we encourage folks to do this in advance.