Trash Sorting Challenge at the Bostwick House

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Registration is required for this event. Please register here at this link: https://anacostiaws.salsalabs.org/121419trashsortingchallengeatthebostwickhouse/index.html?page=register

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Meeting Location: We will be meeting on location at the historic Bostwick House. It is located at 3901 48th St. in Bladensburg, MD 20710. You can access it from Annapolis Rd, Kenilworth Ave, and Quincy St. There is a fence around the property with one, large gate that will be open. Enter the property at this gate and proceed up the driveway up the hill. Please pull up the driveway as far as you can so others can fit behind you.

Description: Since its inception in 1989, AWS staff and volunteers have removed tons of trash from the Anacostia River each year. Our River Terrace Trash Trap cleanups have been a huge success in helping us to make progress towards our goal for a trash free Anacostia River. This trash trap catches trash before it ends up in the River! But our staff can’t manage this trap alone. Volunteers are critical to our plan to collect trash and monitor this trash trap. At the event we will sort removed trash from the River Terrace Trash Trap, at the Bostwick House, into 13 categories; plastic bottles, plastic grocery bags, food wrappers, Styrofoam food containers, other Styrofoam products, recreational balls, other plastics, glass bottles, aluminum cans, tires, treated lumber, other non-plastics, and large items. We will count the pieces of trash and measure the weight and volume for each category.

• The data collected from our trash traps has helped to pass the (grocery) bag fee law in DC and brought a ripple effect into Montgomery County; and it has helped to ban the use of Styrofoam food packaging, etc. in DC, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. We still need to work on trash items such as beverage bottles, cans, and food wrappers, which is why we need your help! The data you help us collect will be used to educate the public and advocate for a better practice, such as the Bottle Deposit Bill.

• This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the trash challenges of the Anacostia and what is being done to address them!

Physical Requirements: This event will likely involve lifting, bending, and walking. Participants will be expected to wear closed-toed shoes for the duration of the event. The event is not suitable for those with health issues. If you think any of the physical requirements will be problematic, please let us know.

Registration is required. Please register at least 2 days prior to the event date you chose to volunteer in order to receive additional information regarding proper clothing, etc. Register here at this link: https://anacostiaws.salsalabs.org/121419trashsortingchallengeatthebostwickhouse/index.html?page=register

For more information, contact Emily Castelli at ecastelli2@anacostiaws.org or call 301-699-6204 x103.