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Sound Rivers is looking for a few good groups to adopt a trash trap in 2026, and Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz is getting the word out.

“The calendar for 2026 is officially open,” Emily said. “Claim your month before it gets swooped up!”

Emily launched the Adopt a Trash Trap program in the fall of 2024, and it’s been a success since, she said.

“It’s gone really well, we have had some amazing individuals adopt a trap, clubs like the Sierra Club and the Washington High School Science Club,” Emily said. “It’s been really cool to see the different groups and people getting involved in Litter-Free Rivers, because it’s giving people the opportunity to be an active participant in keeping their waterways litter-free. Ownership plays a big part in what we’re trying to do.”

Emily said some groups have been a little unsure about how adopting a trash trap works, but it doesn’t take long for them to jump right in.

“People are surprised at how fun it is and interesting it is,” Emily said. “It can be a little intimidating when you’re handed some waders and a grabber, and they’re expected to hop into the creek, but once people come to the first cleanup or adopt a trap for the first time, they’re surprised at how much fun they have doing it. And it only takes an hour!”

What volunteers walk away with is a sense of accomplishment — and impact, according to Emily.

“Volunteers get to see the impact they’re making, but they also feel more connected with the water; they get to see all the animals and insects that live in that waterway,” she said. “And looking at all the trash that there, you can’t help but be a bit reflective because it’s all manmade — all those plastic bottles and Styrofoam. Seeing the bigger picture, thinking about how it all ended up in the water, makes people think about how they can be a part of the solution, not the problem.”

Adopting a trash trap means an individual or group signs on to monitor a trap of their choice for a month and hold at least one cleanout. If there’s been a significant rain event, another might be required. Sound Rivers provides the supplies, and the adopted can schedule a date and time of their choice for their cleanout.

If you or your groups is interested in Adopting a Trash Trap, you can find out more about the program on the Adopt a Trash Trap page or contact Emily at emily@soundrivers.org.

Sound Rivers launched its Litter-Free Rivers program in early 2023, just a year after the first trash trap was installed on Jack’s Creek in Washington. Since, 10 more of these passive litter-collection devices have been installed on urban waterways throughout the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds. Two more traps are scheduled to be installed in 2026, in Raleigh and Smithfield, and another is in the works in Nashville.

Through Litter-Free Rivers, Sound Rivers and an army of volunteers removed nearly 6 tons of trash from waterways and their banks since the program began. More than 2 tons were removed in 2025.

Like Sound Rivers’ Litter-Free Rivers program? Donate today to keep your waterways Litter-Free!