Volunteers collect 300 pounds of trash in Source to Sea Cleanup in Easthampton
EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Nearly 40 volunteers gathered on Sunday morning, September 9, for the annual Source to Sea Cleanup, an event organized in partnership with the Connecticut River Conservancy.
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The effort focused on removing trash from Easthampton’s waterways, following the previous day’s River Roads Festival. The cleanup ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Millside Park.
Among those participating were artists Dar Williams and High Tea, along with staff from the Connecticut River Conservancy. Despite the relatively small group of six volunteers, they managed to collect an estimated 300 pounds of trash, including over 5,000 plastic items. The litter found ranged from 600 nip bottles to cigarette butts, tires, metal debris, and foam materials.
City Council member and cleanup organizer Owen Zaret emphasized the ongoing problem of plastic pollution, particularly the abundance of single-use plastic bottles like nip bottles. “I am always astounded by the sheer volume, particularly plastic materials, that we collect during these cleanups,” Zaret said. “It is a stark reminder of the ongoing need for state-level legislation around single-use plastics and nonrecyclable bottles.”
Zaret also praised the collaborative efforts of volunteers and the Connecticut River Conservancy, noting the importance of continued environmental stewardship in Easthampton and surrounding areas.
For more information about the Connecticut River Conservancy and its initiatives, visit www.ctriver.org. Easthampton residents can also get involved in local cleanup efforts through the Easthampton Beautification Team, with details available on their Facebook page.
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