On Saturday, June 16, employees from DuPont and Chemours will join other Parkersburg area residents to volunteer for the Ohio River Sweep, a shoreline cleanup of the Ohio River and many of its tributaries.
The Ohio River valley experienced a great deal of rain this spring. Some areas along the Ohio River experienced significant flooding too. Heavy rain or long periods of rain tends to move trash: trash travels. The rain moves litter from parking lots, parks and streets into storm drains which empty into stream and rivers, like our Ohio River. Those swollen streams and rivers then dislodge litter which was previously hidden beneath the surface.
The 2018 spring rain and flooding moved a great deal of litter. The Ohio River acts like a net to catch this litter. River cleanups, like the Ohio River Sweep, are critical to collect this litter before it travels downstream any further. Volunteers from six states participate in the cleanup event.
DuPont and Chemours are sponsors for the 2018 event.
"Chemours and our employees are happy to return again with our family and friends to continue the effort of keeping the banks of our beautiful river clean. Chemours is proud to join DuPont and other members of our community to help sponsor this annual river beautification event." Said Becky Tanner, Chemours.
"The river is an important part of the community and DuPont is pleased to be participating in the ORSANCO River Sweep to help sustain the river for future generations. It is a pleasure to be a part of this valuable work that is helping to improve and beautify our community." said Rebecca Adams, DuPont.
The sponsorship checks were presented at the Washington Works facility by Chris Shoop and Greg Westbrookwith DuPont and Becky Tanner with Chemours. Lisa Cochran, Ohio River Sweep program manager, accepted the checks on behalf of the program.
The Ohio River Sweep is funded by contributions from corporations throughout the Ohio River Valley. These contributions provide funding to purchase volunteer supplies like gloves, trash bags, and t-shirts, as well as promotional materials like brochures and posters which make the event successful.
"Industries throughout the Ohio River Valley play an important role in this great environmental cleanup. Not only do they provide financial support, they also provide volunteers." said Lisa Cochran. DuPont has sponsored the event since 2001. Chemours sponsored the event since 2016.
The Ohio River Sweep will occur on Saturday, June 16 at multiple locations in the Parkersburg area. Please visit
www.OhioRiverSweep.org to find the nearest location. Volunteers are needed!
