Trash Sorting Challenge at Nash Run Trash Trap

Trash Sorting Challenge at Nash Run Trash Trap

From 09/04/21 9:00 am until 09/04/21 12:00 pm

At Nash Run Trash Trap

[email protected]

301-699-6204

https://anacostiaws.salsalabs.org/9421trashsortingchallengeatnashrun/index.html?page=register


Note: This event is weather dependent

Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021                         
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm                

Meeting Location: Anacostia Ave NE and Douglas St NE (intersection), Washington DC, 20019 (Map)                        Photo Credit: Amanda Kleinman

  • This site is about an 8-minute walk from the Deanwood Metro Station on the Orange Line

Event Description:  Since its inception in 1989, AWS staff and volunteers have removed tons of trash from the Anacostia River each year. Our Nash Run 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 trash that has been removed from this trap 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 while staying masked.

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 Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

  • The task requires squatting down for a relatively long time, and may be physically demanding.  It is not suitable for young children. Participants will be expected to wear closed-toed shoes and facemasks for the duration of the event. If you think any of the physical requirements will be problematic, please let us know or consider joining another event.

Registration is required. Please register to receive additional information about the event. Anyone who doesn't register online will be denied access to the event. 

For more information before the event, contact Emily Castelli at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 301-699-6204 x103.

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Participant Requirements for Volunteer and Recreational Events:

Note: Requirements are subject to change based on state, local, and federal guidance and/or our own organizational determinations. 

1. Reservations. We are limiting the number of people at our events and pre-registration is required for each individual via AWS’s website (www.anacostiaws.org).  This includes each participant completing our on-line waiver form. Prior to your scheduled event, you will also be required to complete our COVID-19 screening questionnaire as part of our confirmation of your participation.

2. Group Limits:  Events are limited to groups of up to 20-25, depending on the activity and location. There may be fewer or more participants depending on the ability to social distance and whether local directives allow.

3. Self-Monitoring:  All participants in the Anacostia Watershed Society’s (AWS) event are required to:

  • Complete our COVID-19 screening questionnaire prior to your scheduled event.
  • If you are sick (such as fever (100.4 or greater), cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, etc.), or have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 14 days, please do not come to the event!
  • If you have had any close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please do not come to the event. 
  • If you become ill within one week of participating in the event, please consider reporting this to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (our Human Resources email address).  We will keep your identity confidential.

4. Masks & Physical Distancing:  Participants who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, do not have to wear a mask or physically distance, indoors or outdoors, unless they are more comfortable doing so.

Participants who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19, must arrive masked and plan to stay masked throughout the duration of the event and practice physical distancing. 

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Registration is required to participate
Click here to register