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STEUBENVILLE -- The JB Green Team is looking for local volunteers for the 30th-annual Ohio River Sweep, set to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the city marina.
Louise Holliday, JB Green Team environmental educator, said 120 volunteers last year collected 150 bags of trash, and included 10 tires and house construction debris, carpeting, ropes and coolers.
The Ohio River Sweep, sponsored by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, is a volunteer, riverbank cleanup that extends the entire length of the Ohio River and beyond. This is the largest environmental event of its kind and encompasses six states and 3,000 miles of shoreline of the river and its tributaries.
"Litter, especially plastics, in our rivers and ocean is a significant problem. The river sweep is a critical event to remove plastics from our rivers before they enter the ocean," said Lisa Cochran, ORSANCO communications coordinator.
Last year, 6,000 volunteers worked at 151 cleanup sites with 320 tons of debris removed from the shorelines, according to ORSANCO.
"The Ohio River Sweep for the past 30 years, on the third Saturday in June, has had dedicated volunteers donate their time and efforts by taking steps to rectify the littler problem on the river banks and other areas for this very worthwhile event," said Anita Petrella, JB Green Team executive director.
Holliday said JSW USA, Rural King, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Economy Lawn Care, Choice Vending and ArcelorMittal are sponsors for the local sweep.
"This is an excellent opportunity for citizens to play an active role in improving the environment and cleaning up the riverbanks in your community," she said.
Holliday said volunteers can come to the marina wearing clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Volunteers also should wear closed-toe shoes. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt, certificate of participation and refreshments.
Anyone interested in volunteering or would like to have their own site can call JB Green Team at (740) 266-6899.