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Volunteers Collect Record-setting 8,400 Pounds of Trash - Watershed Association’s 4th Annual Stream Clean-ups a Success

(May 5, 2010) – To combat the growing threat of “people” pollution, the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association – central New Jersey’s first environmental group – held its 4th Annual Stream Clean-ups the weekends of April 24 & 25 and May 1 & 2. Volunteers from 10 towns and four counties rolled up their sleeves to help keep our lakes, rivers and streams clean and healthy.

“The choices we make every day have the biggest impact on the health of our water and environment,” said Jim Waltman, executive director of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. “From the chemicals we use to treat our lawn, to the cup from the coffee shop that we toss aside – each year thousands of pounds of trash and pollutants are washed from our streets and yards into our lakes, rivers and streams.”

This “people” pollution is having a negative impact on the health of aquatic life in our local waterways and the quality of water throughout Central Jersey, according to the Watershed Association’s recently released State of the Watershed Report. Combining water quality, environmental policy and land use analysis, the report details the condition of our water today and how we all need to take steps to make a difference.

“Central Jersey’s water is in trouble,” said Mr. Waltman. “The Stream Clean-ups are just one way we can all chip in to help keep our water clean and healthy. This year we broke all our records in terms of the number of volunteers, bags of trash collected and weight of trash picked up.”

This year, a total of 287 volunteers across 10 towns helped haul 461 bags of trash and debris from area waterways weighing a combined 8,437 pounds – including a rusting car, decaying refrigerators and countless plastic bottles, plastic bags and aluminum cans. In 2009, more than 244 volunteers cleared out 7,013 pounds of trash. Since its inception, the Stream Clean-ups have removed more than 10 tons of trash from in and around waterways across central New Jersey.

“While it’s positive to remove so much trash from our environment, it’s a negative sign for the overall health of our waterways,” added Mr. Waltman. “our ultimate indication of success will be that these stream clean-ups are no longer necessary,”

Two of this year’s original 12 clean-ups – in Princeton and South Brunswick – were postponed due to inclement weather. The clean-ups will be rescheduled. Interested parties should stay tuned to www.thewatershed.org for details.

Here’s a town-by-town breakdown of results.

Cranbury Township

In Cranbury Township 32 volunteers teamed up with the Cranbury Township Environmental Commission, Department of Public Works and Watershed Association staff to collect 41 bags of trash weighing 597 pounds on Saturday April 24. The volunteers met at Village Park to clean up near Brainerd Lake and other locations throughout the town. The largest items collected included milk crates, a ladder and a plastic slide. The most common litter was plastic bottles and aluminum cans. In 2009, 49 volunteers picked up 766 pounds of trash in the township.

East Windsor

The East Windsor Environmental Commission, Department of Public Works, Watershed Association staff and 16 volunteers picked up 23 bags of trash in Anker Park on Sunday May 2. Weighing in at 262 pounds, the largest trash items collected included tires, cement blocks, a tent, umbrella, license plates and parts of a metal grill. The most common items were plastic bottles and food wrappers.

Franklin Township – Most bags of trash!!

In Franklin Township 22 volunteers partnered with the Watershed Association, Franklin Township Environmental Commission and Department of Public Works to remove 70 bags of trash weighing 1,460 pounds. Volunteers met at Hamilton Street and Hawthorne Drive near the St. Peter & Paul Church on Saturday April 24. Some of the largest items collected included carpet, tires, two bike frames, bike rims, gutter and a mattress. The group also identified four shopping carts that required additional assistance for removal at a later date. The most common trash identified was glass bottles, food wrappers and clothing. In 2009, 23 volunteers collected 1,000 pounds of trash at the Delaware & Raritan Canal.

Hightstown Borough

On Saturday April 24, the Watershed Association partnered with the Hightstown Environmental Commission, Department of Public Works and 35 volunteers to collect 62 bags of trash weighing 1,296 pounds at Peddie Lake. Participants cleaned up the lake area and dispersed to clean other areas of the borough as part of a town-wide clean-up effort. The largest items found included a tractor tire, inner tubes, fencing, car seats, a child’s pool and refrigerator parts. The most common trash picked up was aluminum cans and plastic bottles. In 2009, 13 volunteers picked up 416 pounds of trash in the borough.

Hopewell Township

In Hopewell Township, 27 volunteers, Watershed Association staff and the township Environmental Commission met at Bear Tavern and Washington Crossing roads to clean up Jacob’s Creek on Saturday May 1. A total of 35 bags of trash weighing 743 were removed. The largest trash items found included tires, metal, wood and a toilet seat. The most common litter was aluminum cans and alcoholic beverage containers. In 2009, four volunteers picked up 150 pounds of trash near the Stony Brook.

Lawrence Township

On Saturday May 1, 22 volunteers in Lawrence Township picked up 46 bags weighing 340 pounds near Colonial Lake and the Assunpink Creek with the help of Watershed Association staff, the Lawrence Township Environmental Resource Committee and Department of Public Works. Some of the largest items removed included tires, metal fencing and several basketballs. The most common trash was Styrofoam and aluminum cans. In 2009, 20 volunteers collected 680 pounds of trash near Colonial Lake and Assunpink Creek.

Millstone Township – Most trash by weight!!

The Watershed Association, Millstone Township Environmental Commission, Department of Public Works and 26 volunteers hauled away 60 bags of trash weighing 1,512 pounds in Millstone Township on Saturday April 25. Participants met at the Millstone Township Municipal Building and cleaned up the Millstone River and other locations throughout the town. Some of the largest trash picked up included real estate signs, five car tires, two truck tires, a television, a chair and wire. The most common trash was plastic bottles, food wrappers and cups. In 2009, 25 volunteers picked up 1,850 pounds of trash and debris throughout the township.

Monroe Township

In Monroe Township, 28 volunteers teamed up with the township Environmental Commission, Department of Public Works and Watershed Association staff to pick up 35 bags of trash weighing 496 pounds from around the Millstone River on Saturday April 24. The largest trash found included a wooden ladder, tires, a table, shelving and a 130-pound piece of plastic pipe. The most common trash was cigarette butts, plastic bottles and aluminum cans. In 2009, 22 volunteers collected 670 pounds of trash near the Millstone River.

Plainsboro Township – Largest trash items!!

In Plainsboro Township, 26 volunteers, Watershed Association Staff, and the Plainsboro Township Recreation Department picked up more than 1,510 pounds of trash along the Lenape Trail and Cranbury Brook on Saturday April 24. Some of the largest items collected included bedsprings, a turntable, two refrigerators and a rusting car. The most common trash reported was plastic bottles, food wrappers, shopping bags and aluminum cans. In 2009, 59 volunteers picked up 750 pounds of trash along Cranbury Brook.

The Princetons

The Princeton clean-up on Sunday April 25 was postponed due to incluement weather. The event will be rescheduled. Stay tuned to www.thewatershed.org. In 2009, nine volunteers picked up 300 pounds of trash and debris from near the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

South Brunswick Township

The Sunday April 25 clean-up with first-time participant South Brunswick Township was postponed due to inclement weather. The event will be rescheduled. Stay tuned to www.thewatershed.org.

West Windsor – Most volunteers!!

A total of 42 volunteers teamed with Watershed Association staff, West Windsor Township Environmental Commission and Department of Public Works to remove 38 bags of trash weighing 221 pounds from along the Delaware & Raritan Canal at Port Mercer on Quaker Road. Some of the largest trash hauled away included a section of guard rail, recycling buckets, tires, a float from under a dock, a caulk gun and house siding. The most common trash was plastic bottles. In 2009, 20 volunteers picked up 430 pounds of trash and debris along the canal.

Special thanks to our 2010 Stream Clean-up Sponsors: American Rivers, Aztec Graphics, Home Depot, McCaffrey's Supermarket, NJ Clean Communities, Saul Ewing LLP, Wawa, Wegmans and Whole Foods Market.

About the Watershed Association

The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, a not-for-profit organization, protects the 265-square-mile region drained by the Stony Brook and Millstone River – an area spanning 26 towns and five counties. Founded in 1949, the Watershed Association is central New Jersey’s first environmental group protecting clean water and the environment through conservation, advocacy, science and education.

Interviews with Executive Director Jim Waltman and logo contest winner Vera Crabtree available upon request. Contact Gwen McNamara, Communications Manager, at (609) 737-3735 x16 or gmcnamara@thewatershed.org.