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Here we go - you can read all this or just go out & pick up some trash...Thanks and Happy Trails!
General Procedure:
Crew Leaders basically step up and nominate themselves when a target area is identified. The main responsibility of the leader is to coordinate communications between the team members. Details to be decided by each team include the specific stretch of stream to be cleaned up, meeting time and place, the order of events, i.e. picking up, grilling, fishing, how and where to dispose of trash, whether or not to have a rain date, what if any, the rain date should be and who will be bringing the pickup, trailers and grills.
For the sake of posterity and publicity, I would encourage all participants to take as many pictures of fellow participants and piles of collected trash, as possible. Just like with the Conclave, it would be fun to look back in a few years, at the humble beginnings of this event. Some impressive trash pictures would also go a long way to recruit personnel and other support in the future.
Safety is priority one – nothing will screw up a worthwhile event faster than an accident – be mindful of the safety of yourself and others at all times. If there are any children along, be extra mindful of their actions and whereabouts at all times. When BBQing please take all the standard precautions with the hot stuff. Be sure not to over exert yourself and stay well hydrated. If you decide to enjoy hard beverages with your BBQ, please keep it safe and legal. Please do not collect any more trash than you can safely and legally transport and dispose of. In the unlikely event that you should encounter any hazardous, toxic or suspicious substances, stay away from them and call the DEP.
Like I mentioned before, this event should be not only productive, but fun. Keep your plans simple and go out with the intention of meeting new friends, sharing some good food and drink and doing a deserving stream a favor.
Here is a list of things one should consider bringing:
Kids
Hat
Gloves
Safety Vest
Sunglasses/eye protection
Sun screen
Bug dope
Plenty of water
5 – 10 heavy duty garbage bags
Portable BBQ grill and/or something to throw on a grill
Pick up truck or trailer to haul garbage
Camera
Cell phone
Last but not least, fishing gear!
Some Random Thoughts About Picking Up Trash
Like I have mentioned before, the beauty of an event such as ours, is that it requires no special training or equipment, serious planning, permits, applications, approvals, memberships, fees, studies, reservations, or E.I.S.s and the benefits are instant, visible and positive, no matter how many people get involved. Speaking of getting people involved, I believe that it is crucial to get kids involved with this kind of activity, if not this actual event. Although picking up trash has all of the above advantages, the downside is that it can have relatively short lived benefits, unless something is learned by it or an attitude is changed by it. Having children along gives us the opportunity to pass along and spread a culture of good environmental stewardship and thoughtfulness. I believe a bit of learning goes on as well, when would be litter bugs and the public at large sees groups of concerned citizens out doing this kind of service. Furthermore, I believe that people may be less inclined to litter along a completely litter free stream, again, giving our effort a sort of educational /habit changing effect.
One way of leveraging the benefits of picking up trash is recycling the trash. I’ve noticed that about a third to a half of common stream side trash is recyclable material, and about 75% of oceanside trash is recyclable. This requires a bit more work, but I feel that it is worth the effort. Typically, it is difficult to keep trash sorted while it is being collected, so resorting at the end of the clean up seems to be the most efficient way of handling recyclables. The most commonly found recyclables are usually glass, plastic and aluminum beverage containers, various paper and cardboard products (especially around suburban and roadside fishing spots) ferrous metals (like along the Penobscot River in Orono and the dump pool on the Roach) non-ferrous metals (like aluminum boat, dock and building materials) and tires. Another way to further leverage our efforts is to take the proceeds from any cash recyclables and donate them to a worthy conservation cause or even use them to buy Outdoor Heritage Lottery tickets! I realize that such a small amount of cash toward the cause could be seen as insignificant, but I believe that along with the symbolic and “kharma” value, it amounts to something worthwhile. Cash recyclables such as beverage containers are the obvious money raisers along with bulk aluminum and copper wire. While steel prices are sky rocketing, prices paid for scrap iron are still painfully low. When I haul rusty, old machinery to the scrap yard, I am consoled by the fact that those are a few pounds of iron that won’t need to be mined, transported, refined and transported again, sort of.
Regardless of how folks out there feel about picking up trash, I hope a few of those reading this will come out and meet a few fellow outdoors people, have some fun and do some spring cleaning – I’m looking forward to the event and making some new friends – Tight Lines!
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The best things in life...aren't things.
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