Elizabeth River Clean-Up Project

Vital Stats

Tommy K

Virginia Beach, VA

  • people helped50
  • People Doing It10

The Problem

Trash in the Elizabeth River is a big problem. Simply picking it up isn't enough. There is no possible way that it can all be picked up. I want to stop the trash by putting nets in front of the storm drains. A maintenance team will then go and collect the trash. This way the rain is used as a collection method because it cleans the streets. This way the trash is stopped before it flows into the creek and eventually affects all areas.

Plan of Action

The first step of my project is to pick up trash. Over the summer I brought together boy scouts from my troop to come with me and clean up the creek. Picking up trash is an ongoing process because humans are always going to litter. The second step involves contacting Waste Management and the city of Virginia Beach. I want to place nets in front of the storm drains because this is where the majority of the trash is coming from. When it rains the trash washes off of the street into the drains and then into the river. The city has an easement on the property around storm drains so putting a net in front of them is not allowed. If the city can see how much good my project can do perhaps they will allow me to place nets, if at first only on the grounds of an experiment. I also need to get the city to pick up the pile of trash. It it at the side of my house under a three large tarps.
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Environment

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