ORK partners with Statesboro, KSSB to install litter trap

CORRECTION: A photo was mistakenly shared in connection with this story. The image depicted a boom-style litter trap that was constructed and installed by WATERGOAT, while the litter trap in the story was purchased from another provider. The image was removed from this site and social media after its origin was identified. ORK regrets the error.

The image below is new and is from the installation at Little Lotts Creek on October 4, 2020.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/30/20

Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard

Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful
Contact: Amanda Clements
KSBB Coordinator

amanda.clements@statesboroga.gov

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER PARTNERS WITH CITY OF STATESBORO, KEEP STATESBORO-BULLOCH BEAUTIFUL TO INSTALL A LITTER TRAP
Little Lotts Creek location aims to be the first in an expanding program

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has partnered with the City of Statesboro and Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB) to help curb litter pollution in Little Lotts Creek. ORK researched litter trap technology and will install a ‘boom’ style device to catch litter. In collaboration with officials from the City of Statesboro, an initial site was chosen in Little Lotts Creek.

The City of Statesboro covered the cost to purchase the ‘boom’ litter trap, which uses a string of floats and a net to capture pieces of litter. ORK and KSBB will install the trap in October and coordinate regular pickups of trash cleared out of the trap. Items that can be recycled or repurposed will be collected by Boro Recycling. Other stakeholders for the project include community members with an interest in curbing litter and pollution.

Installation of litter trap, October 4, 2020

“We hope this will be the first of many similar traps in Statesboro, Bulloch and beyond,” says Damon Mullis, executive director and riverkeeper at Ogeechee Riverkeeper. “And we will use this project to educate the public about how to reduce litter in our waterways, and how litter affects the health of our watershed.”

“The City has been looking for ways to continue partnering with Ogeechee Riverkeeper on a stream clean project,” said John Washington, city engineer, “and this was a very viable venture. If successful, this may lead to other partnerships throughout the City.”

A media advisory with details about installation will be distributed in early October.

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. At 245 miles long, the Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,000 square miles of land. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

About Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful: Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. Our goal is to educate and empower citizens and businesses with the resources needed to facilitate litter prevention, beautification, and community greening within the city of Statesboro and surrounding areas. More information can be found at keepstatesborobullochbeautiful.org.

Images and interviews available upon request.

Watch a time lapse video of the installation.