Durham Stream Clean-up

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to do an environmental project for my April service commitment. A few years ago, I considered myself not quite an environmentalist, but at least an environment advocate. Lately, however, I realize I’ve done more things out of convenience (e.g., buying a plastic bottle of water at the gym instead of toting my own, using more disposable bags instead of reusable containers for packing lunch, etc.). It’s time I get back on track with doing a little more to create a little less trash. Yesterday’s project reinforced my commitment.

I met up with a group of about 15 volunteers to pick up trash along the Ellerbe Creek Greenway, part of a city-wide stream clean-up that was taking place in conjunction with the Durham Earth Day Festival. Bottles, dishes, and a bedspread were some of the things that our half of the group found just a few feet off the greenway, hidden under bushes, branches, vines and lots and lots of poison ivy. Each time we found a pile of trash, I was stunned. Why would someone dump their junk there? Little did I know that the other half of the group was picking up stuff like a couch, a highchair, baby toys and several pairs of shoes. Volunteers who have done the clean-up in years past reported that they have seen things like refrigerators and washing machines … right there along the greenway. Unbelievable. And infuriating!

Did I mention grocery carts?	In two hours, our group collected enough trash to make a difference in what people see (or don’t see) as they walk and bike along the trail. I left the project feeling disturbed by the trash that other people toss anyplace they like, but also reinvigorated about the efforts I can make to cut down on the trash I generate.