The Open Space Council, along with Great Rivers Greenway, Metropolitan Sewer District Project Clear and other partners, have announced the dates for 2021’s River des Peres Trash Bash.

From Oct. 16-23 residents can volunteer to clean areas in the River des Peres watershed. Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the annual cleanup event will be in a self-guided format. Volunteers can choose from multiple self-guided cleanup or storm drain marking sites within the watershed. 

There are four grades of land for cleaning, measured by ease of access and the type of trash to be collected: 

Grade A: On flat land. Suitable for all ages and some limited mobility. On water – easy float.

Grade B: On land with some slopes and some brush. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Full mobility suggested. On water – moderate float for those with some experience.

Grade C: On land with heavy trash and heavy brush with steep slopes. Complete mobility is needed. Recommended for ages 16 and up. On water – Moderately strenuous float for those who are experienced paddlers.

Grade D: On land for experienced volunteers only. Will involve heavy lifting and steep slopes with heavy brush. May involve heavy equipment and power tools for the majority of trash removed. On water – Strenuous float only for experienced paddlers and can respond to quickly changing conditions on the water.

Work gloves and trash bags will be provided. The event is free, but volunteers are asked to preregister to select a cleanup site and help event organizers coordinate supplies.

For more information and to register visit http://openspacestl.org/trash-bash/.