Trash Trap

What is a Trash Trap?

A Trash Trap is a tactical, in-stream litter collection device designed to trap floating debris from stormwater runoff. When rain falls on streets, parking areas, sports fields, roof tops, and other developed land, it carries litter and other types of pollution that can be harmful to aquatic life and degrade water quality and runs into creeks and streams through nearby storm drains.

How It Works

Trash Traps are essentially floating cages attached to a buoy system that collects floating debris coming downstream. They are strategically placed throughout creeks and streams to be as effective as possible.

We rely heavily on volunteers to help monitor and maintain our Trash Traps throughout the basin. Our volunteers check on the traps periodically throughout the month and submit a report on whether it needs to be cleaned out. When it does need a cleanout, we gather a small group of volunteers that will follow a process to clean it out and log the litter. Using the EPA’s assessment protocol system, we log the type and amount of all litter pulled out of the trap. We then submit these to organizations that assist in the collection and analysis of the data we provide.

What to Expect

All the supplies and know-hows needed!

We will provide all equipment necessary and train you in the cleanout process.

Fun with trash!

There’s so much to be learned from the litter that makes its way into our streams.

Meet new people

While the Trash Trap Captain that takes the lead, we try to gather a group of volunteers for each location to help with the cleanouts.

Stewardship for your local environment

By being a part of our mission, you too become a voice for the river and can inspire others!

If you have questions or are interested in supporting our mission through volunteerism or community science, contact Volunteer & Community Science Manager Kaity D’Angelo at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org.

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