Pandemic Pollution: More Trash

Bags of trash collected during the Dyke Marsh cleanup.

Friends of Dyke Marsh volunteers typically collect 30 bags of trash along the Potomac River shoreline during two-hour cleanups. On September 26, 2020, 17 volunteers filled 42 bags.

One consequence of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 has been a substantial increase the amount of trash on our streets, parking lots and land, much of which ultimately ends up in our waterways.  Observers often find wipes, masks and rubber gloves littered across the landscape.  With more people ordering takeout food, there appears to be an increase in food packaging materials as well.

FODM President Glenda Booth wrote a September 26 article for the Connection newspapers which describes some of the adverse impacts trash has on natural resources. 

You can read the entire article here online.

Photos contributed by Glenda Booth

Examples of trash from one cleanup.	Nej, Kahil and Cameron Mulla hauled a tire out of Dyke Marsh.	Plastic bags get snagged in vegetation.
More examples of trash from Dyke Marsh.	Head found in Dyke Marsh. Photo by Ned Stone	Masks are now a more common item.

Styrofoam breaks into small pieces.

Plastic bottles are a common trash item.