1,800 Pounds Of Trash Removed From Etowah River

From CRBI: The Coosa River Basin Initiative’s annual Etowah River Clean Sweep, sponsored this year by YANMAR America, removed more than 1800 pounds of trash from a 30-mile stretch of river in Bartow and Floyd counties.

More than 100 volunteers paddled portions of the river or picked up trash at river access points from Cartersville to Rome Saturday. Some 45 bags of trash were removed along with a host of other items including patio chairs, ladders, shopping carts, blocks of Styrofoam, a TV and a refrigerator door.

Groups participating in the cleanup include employees from YANMAR America in Adairsville, Wells Fargo in Rome, F & P Georgia Rome, Berry College environmental studies students, Unity Christian School and Rome High School.

The Etowah River Clean Sweep is part of the statewide Rivers Alive program organized by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. So far this year, more than 2000 volunteers from across the state have removed more than 75,000 pounds of trash from Georgia’s rivers, streams and lakes.

YANMAR America based in Acworth Adairsville served as the sponsor of the Etowah River Clean Sweep.

“One of YANMAR’s guiding principles is social responsibility. Clean water is vital to both our community and the environment, and we much act locally to keep our rivers clean to ensure future generations can enjoy the same clean water as we do today,” commented Terry Wallace, Division Manager for YANMAR America’s Commercial Marine Engine Division.

“River cleanups are always eye-opening,” said Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, Riverkeeper and Executive Director with CRBI, “It shows the consequences of litter. When someone throws trash on the ground, wind, rain and stormwater ultimately carries it to our rivers where it gathers in huge piles sometimes. These cleanups remind us of the importance of putting our trash where it belongs—in a trash can or recycling bin.”

CRBI is a 501c3 non profit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Its mission is to protect, preserve and restore one of North America’s most biologically diverse river systems, the upper Coosa River basin.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JESSE DEOMNBREUN-CHAPMAN AT 706-232-
2724 OR VIA E-MAIL AT JESSE@COOSA.ORG

Images via Coosa River Basin Initiative