Charlotte-Mecklenburg Plans March 29 Creek Cleanup After Picking Up 9,000 Pounds of Trash in 2024

Storm Water Services in Charlotte-Mecklenburg will launch The Big Spring Clean on March 29. The three-hour cleanup starts at 9 a.m., focusing on seven locations along local creeks.

This event wraps up Creek Week, a week-long effort to clean local waterways. Last year, volunteers removed 4.5 tons of trash from streams and their banks.

Each starting point provides supplies for volunteers. Staff will hand out fresh gloves, heavy-duty bags, drinks, and snacks during the morning cleanup.

Volunteers will fan out across areas like Carolina Pavilion and Merry Oaks. Their goal? Picking up trash before it washes into nearby drains and streams.

The cleanup is open to everyone. Children, adults, and community groups can join by registering through Storm Water's website; just look for the Creek Week listing.

Come prepared for creek work. Wear sturdy shoes, skip the flip-flops, and pick clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Media should gather at Chancellor Park Drive by 9 a.m. Taylor Mebane, an expert on creek health, will explain why this cleanup makes a difference.

Working alongside creeks helps people see how litter impacts our waters. It's an eye-opener about keeping waterways clean through everyday choices.

Trash moves around when it collects in small creeks. Rain carries it downstream to rivers and lakes, creating bigger problems for wildlife, plants, and people who depend on clean water.