Our litter washes downstream, but before it does, it negatively impacts our communities’ economy and environment. Keep America Beautiful performed a litter cost study and found that the U.S. spends $11.5 billion a year in clean up costs, with businesses paying $9.1 billion. The study also found that litter in a community decreases property values 7% on average. The Eagle Valley’s economy relies heavily on tourism and no one comes to Vail to see trash on the ground, and litter contaminates local soil and waterways. For example, cigarette butts are the most commonly found piece of litter. Cigarette filters are made of acetate (plastic), which take years to break down and release toxic chemicals into water and soil. They can also have harmful effects and make it into the food chain when ingested by wildlife.
We all love to play in our mountains, rivers and streams during the summer, but all that love comes with a price. That’s why the Eagle River Watershed Council is preparing for its 25th annual river cleanup event, in which more than 350 volunteers show their dedication to our valley by forming teams to clean up more than 68 miles of Eagle County rivers and streams.
Afterward, the volunteers are invited to a free thank-you barbecue with great food, local beer, live music and a raffle. Registration is needed, as volunteers meet on or close to the river at assigned locations. Call the Eagle River Watershed Council at 970-827-5406 or email Kate Isaacson at issacson@erwc.org to sign up. Think globally and act locally, it’s our responsibility to keep the trash where we created it.
Eagle River Watershed Council is preparing for its 25th annual river cleanup event, in which more than 350 volunteers show their dedication to our valley by forming teams to clean up more than 68 miles of Eagle County rivers and streams.