Hundreds of volunteers swept popular waterfronts for trash in the District. The clean up was part of a global effort organized by the Ocean Conservancy.

Jessica Forres watched as volunteers collected garbage at Anacostia Park.

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[NAT: I HAVE ANOTHER STRAW, CRUMPLE SOUND.]

Raychelle Daniel and her husband Kevin put small pieces of trash into a white garbage bag.

THERE SEEM TO BE LITTLE PIECES OF STYROFOAM COFFEE CUPS.

Kevin is in charge of logging each item they both find.

THERE'S A SPACE FOR 55-GALLON DRUMS BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OF THOSE.

On Saturday, hundreds of people collected trash at waterfront sites int he District. Vicki Spruill is the President of Ocean Conservancy.

THIS IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST VOLUNTEER EVENT FOR THE OCEAN. WE'VE GOT 80COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR ALL OVE THE GLOBE.

She says one volunteer found a bowling ball.

IT'S REMARKABLE, THE KINDS OF THINGS YOU FIND AND IT'S ALL ITEMSTHAT ARE THE RESULT OF OUR OWN CARELESSNESS. THIS STUFF DOESN'T FALLFROM THE SKY. IT FALLS FROM OUR HANDS.

This year marks the 23rd International Coastal Clean up.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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Hundreds of local residents collected trash in the District as part of a global effort to clean up rivers and oceans.

Jessica Forres reports…

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At Anacostia Park, three fishing poles are wedged into the ground. They belong to Butch Washington, a resident, who fishes the Anacostia River daily.

He says trash in the river is a big problem. Just the other day, he found an aluminum can with the words "Orange Soda "printed on the side.

THESE SODAS USED TO COST NINE CENTS IN THE SAFEWAY AND YOU HAD TO PAY FOR THEM HOT, THEY WEREN'T COLD AND IT WAS NO POP TOP ON THEM. I PULLED IT OUT THE RIVER THE OTHER DAY. SO DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN IN THE RIVER?

As Washington waited for the fish to bite, more than a hundred volunteers scoured the riverbank for trash. He appreciated their efforts.

ABSOLUTELY IT'S HELPFUL AND I LIKE IT CLEAN. CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS.

The event held on Saturday marked the 23rd annual International Coastal Cleanup.

Vicki Spruil is the President of the Ocean Conservancy.

WE'VE GOT 80 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR ALL OVER THE GLOBE.LAST YEAR WE PICKED UP COLLECTIVELY 6 MILLION POUNDS OF TRASH.

She says volunteers also collected trash at the Lincoln Memorial and Rock Creek Park.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News