Source to Sea Cleanup Returns in September in Connecticut and Region

The 29th annual Source to Sea Cleanup – with the goal of removing as much trash as possible from local waterways, riverbanks, and communities across the 410-mile Connecticut River watershed across New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, is slated for September 26-27 this fall. 

Since 1997, groups of volunteers have come together to remove trash from local rivers in support of clean water and healthy habitats throughout the Connecticut River watershed.

Cleanup efforts help to advocate for environmental policy that stops pollution at the source.  While the Source to Sea Cleanup is all about picking up trash in local waterways, streets, and parks across the four-state region,– it is also part of a greater effort that includes “recycling waste, speaking up for legislative actions to reduce pollution, and advocating for producers to develop products that are less harmful for the environment,’ according to organization representatives. 

Throughout the two-day initiative, volunteers are organized into groups with Group Leaders coordinating details at various trash sites (Group Leader registration is currently open). Among the most common items collected are plastic bottles, aluminum cans, electronics, Styrofoam, glass bottles, construction items, tires and discarded toys. 

Trash tallies are gathered after each cleanup, contributing to Connecticut River Conservancy's long-standing database which is used to inform their work in advocacy to reduce future pollution, support river restoration, and inform the public and policy-makers of issues affecting the environment.

​Trash tally results throughout the watershed show that in 2024 over 1,000 volunteers from117 groups collected over 39 tons of trash.  The aim in 2025 is to meet – and exceed – those numbers. 

The mission of the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is to restore and advocate for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed.  The Connecticut River Conservancy website points out that “All it takes is a series of small actions by lots of people to make a big impact on our rivers. Through personal power and responsibility, we can keep our rivers clean for all to enjoy.”

To learn more, and to sign up to participate, go here.