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Ohio River Cleanup Events
ORSANCO/FORE hosts 2022 Ohio River Sweep cleanup event season, March through October
Cincinnati, Oh – The seasonal volunteer cleanup event, Ohio River Sweep, is a joint venture hosted by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE). Volunteers from six states, extending the entire length of the Ohio River, remove litter at multiple locations along the river and many of its tributaries. This year, the goal is to support clean up events from March through October. Based on the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ohio River Sweep event recently changed to a seasonal format. Last year the joint organizations redesigned the Ohio River Sweep event to be a more flexible format that supports a variety of events in multiple locations throughout the Ohio River watershed. ORSANCO Executive Director Richard Harrison explains, “Instead of one annual event, as in the past, the new seasonal format of the Ohio River Sweep event provides an opportunity for groups to make a big impact on waterways in their community structured around their own timeframe.” Volunteer participants choose the date and location of their cleanup event and the Ohio River Sweep provides support and supplies to hold the event. Last year, there were 150 Ohio River Sweep events hosted in five states, 1,500 volunteers participated, and approximately 50,000 pounds of litter were collected. This year, 50 event sites have already been created and ORSANCO is able to accommodate more. There is an interactive site map available with contact information for each site. Sponsorship is also encouraged and there are a variety of donor opportunities available.
If you are interested in sponsoring, joining, or organizing an Ohio River Sweep cleanup event this season, contact ORSANCO Environmental Education & Outreach Coordinator Nick Callahan at 513-231-7719 ext. 102. To learn more about volunteering, visit the event website at
www.orsanco.org/river-sweep/where-to-volunteer. “It’s important for everyone in the Ohio River Basin to remember we are all a part of this watershed and by working together these types of clean up events have a major impact on the global issue of litter pollution,” said Harrison. The executive director aims to double the amount of event sites from last year and looks forward to rolling up his sleeves and participating. Harrison explains, “It’s always inspiring to see the camaraderie gained when working together to improve the quality of the Ohio River watershed that we all share. It creates a connection and sense of belonging to a local purpose with a global impact. The immense issue of litter in our waterways is overwhelming, but each volunteer contribution is valuable and truly makes a difference!”
Since 1989, the Ohio River Sweep award-winning cleanup event has been organized by ORSANCO, the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE), and environmental protection agencies from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. FORE teaches people of all ages in the Ohio River Basin how to become environmental stewards through hands-on programs that get people on the water and engaged in preserving the cultural, ecological, and economic value of our rivers. Poorly managed trash is a continual problem that the Ohio River Sweep volunteers positively impact each year. More than 25 million people, 8% of the U.S. population, live in the Ohio River Basin and the Ohio River is a source of drinking water for more than five million people. The volunteers for the Ohio River Sweep have made tremendous progress cleaning the Ohio River and helping to maintain water quality in the area. ORSANCO Technical Programs Manager Ryan Argo explains any foreign object can have a negative impact on our waterways by altering habitats, leaching toxins, or entangling wildlife. “Of increasing concern in worldwide waterways are microplastics, which are small particles of plastic material that can be ingested by wildlife causing deleterious effects,” said Argo. Microplastic particles can be found in industrial and household products or created as larger plastic waste breaks down. "By removing larger plastic waste before it has a chance to degrade, volunteers assist in limiting the amount of microplastics affecting the Ohio River and the abundant diversity of wildlife it supports," Argo continued. By removing waste that can alter habitats, leach toxins, or entangle wildlife, volunteers help ensure the continued health of the Ohio River and the vast array of life it supports. Be a part of the solution in your community and sponsor an Ohio River Sweep cleanup event or organize an event this season.
