Rome, GA – July 19th, 2024 – The Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) is excited to announce the launch of the “Don’t Sink the Can” anti-littering campaign, with generous support from International Paper. This initiative, created in partnership with Cedar Creek RV Park, Euharlee Creek Outfitters, Castaway Kayaks and Etowah Adventure Company, invites outdoor enthusiasts to help protect our rivers by packing out their trash.
As part of the campaign, participating outfitters will provide reusable bags to paddlers and adventurers, making it easy to pack out their trash and keep our waterways pristine. By using these bags, you can ensure that your trash doesn’t end up harming the environment or the wildlife that call our rivers home.
The Impact of Waterway Trash
Litter in our waterways is more than just an eyesore—it’s a serious threat to wildlife and their habitats. Trash can entrap animals, including those that are threatened or endangered. Beyond the danger of entrapment, wildlife can also ingest trash. When they ingest trash, they absorb toxins that move up the food chain, affecting larger predators—including some that humans eat. The concentration of toxins increases as they move up the food chain, posing health risks.
Litter is not just a problem for our current generation, it is a legacy that we leave behind long after we are gone as the most common types of litter stay in the environment for generations.
Breakdown Times for Common Litter:
- Fishing Line: Up to 600 years
- Plastic Bottles: Up to 450 years
- Aluminum Cans: Up to 500 years
- Plastic Bags: 10-20 years to break down
Plastics also remain in our environment indefinitely after they break down in the form of microplastics.
CRBI Outreach Programs Manager Courtnee Davenport shared, “We’re calling on all outdoor lovers to join us in this vital effort. With the support of International Paper and our dedicated partners, we can help protect our rivers and ensure they remain beautiful and thriving for generations to come.”
Whether you’re paddling down the river, camping by the water, or enjoying a day out in nature, remember “Don’t Sink the Can”—pack out your trash and keep our rivers wild and clean.
About Coosa River Basin Initiative
Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501 C3 non profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and restoring one of North America’s most biologically diverse river systems, the upper Coosa River basin. Through advocacy, education, water monitoring, and restoration, CRBI works to ensure clean water resources for current and future generations.
About International Paper
International Paper is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. They produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, as well as pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness.
Contact Information
Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, Executive Director
706-232-2724, jesse@coosa.org