More than 1,000 pounds of litter picked up

Bayne Hughes, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
·1 min read

Feb. 6—Tennessee Riverkeeper removed more than a thousand pounds of litter from Clark Springs Branch in Decatur on Saturday.

David Whiteside, founder of nonprofit Tennessee Riverkeeper said 12 volunteers removed about 1,051 pounds of aquatic litter from the waterway and its shore line.

The volunteers collected 44 bags of trash, as well as bulky items such mattresses and tires. Much of the litter was plastic bottles, Styrofoam, cigarette butts, and various wrappers.

This area of Clark Springs Branch and Wilson Morgan Lake is a collection zone for garbage. Whiteside said litter that is thrown out on streets flows into creeks and the river after rain events via drainage systems.

Whiteside said this creates a situation where waterways receive large amounts of plastic, impacting water quality.

— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432. Twitter @DD_BayneHughes.