‘Mini-Sweeps’ Taking Place For Ohio River Cleanup

Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission’s (ORSANCO) annual Ohio River Sweep, 30 “mini-sweeps” have taken place so far this year, and it’s not too late to schedule one.

ORSANCO is encouraging  smaller sweeps with socially distant groups of participants now through October 31, said Melissa Mann, ORSANCO public information/education specialist.

Roughly 500 volunteers have cleaned portions of the river on the dates and in the locations of their choice this year.

While ORSANCO normally coordinates a large cleanup effort on a single day, the flexibility of the mini-sweeps has proven to be a good fit during the pandemic, Mann said.

“We’re trying to make the program as flexible as we can for people in order for them to get out there and clean up the Ohio River wherever and whenever they can,” she said.

The flexibility has also allowed rescheduling of events due to inclement weather, she said. Organizers will gather feedback and assess results to determine whether to return to the one-day format next year, she said.

People can sign up at www.orsanco.org/river-sweep/ to host their own cleanup events throughout the Ohio River and its tributaries. With a few weeks’ notice, ORSANCO will provide T-shirts, gloves and trash bags. ORSCANCO then requests organizers submit final details about attendance and how much trash was picked up during the event.

Mann suggested those interested in organizing a mini-sweep for their area contact ORSANCO soon as supplies may be limited toward the end of the season.

ORSANCO has partnered with environmental agencies in West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania since 1989 on the Ohio River Sweep. The effort extends the entire length of the river, with volunteers from the six states bordering the river removing litter.

Caption for photo: Perry County, Ind., volunteers, led by coordinator Ceceilia Mundy, pick up trash along the shore of the Ohio River in a “mini-sweep” event earlier this year. (Photo courtesy Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission)