Georgia's
Annual Volunteer River, Lake & Coastal Cleanup
Guide to Organizing and Conducting a Cleanup
INTRODUCTION
Is this river safe to wade in? That vine sure is growing fast--is it supposed to be there? Where does this drain go?
These are some of the questions that the Rivers Alive program is designed to address. Every October, groups and individuals work together to perform a statewide cleanup of the streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands which we all use and enjoy every day. Under the program's supervision, volunteers pick up and dispose of the litter which clogs our waterways, remove invasive species of plants which threaten native species, and stencil neighborhood storm drains with messages and symbols reminding others that garbage dumped in the drain flows directly into local waterways. In October 2001, 18,763 volunteers cleaned a total of 662 miles of Georgia streams, collecting 15,525 bags and 117,999 pounds of garbage. That's a lot of trash!
Many people believe that businesses and industries are responsible for most of the water pollution in Georgia. This is not true. Since the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972, industrial and commercial dumping ("point sources" of pollution) have been strictly regulated, with enforced standards for environmental impact. Far more extensive and harder to control is what is known as nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source means pollution that comes from all over, not just a single pipe or drain. Rainwater runs across the surface of a road, carrying brake dust and motor oil into the nearest stream. Sprinklers wash lawn fertilizer into the gutter, where it joins soapy water from washing cars on its way to the storm drain and the river. Candy wrappers, cigarette butts, and drink containers are carried in by wind or water, or are deposited directly on the streambank alongside unwanted cars and appliances.
All of this pollution takes a toll. Litter fills stream channels, chokes municipal and industrial intakes, injures wildlife, and endangers human swimmers and boaters. Chemicals may kill wildlife immediately, or it may be stored in plant and animal tissues and pose a threat to higher consumers such as birds and humans, as was the case with DDT. Soil and sediment, arguably the greatest source of water pollution in Georgia, clog the gills of aquatic organisms and destroy habitat.
You can help. By organizing a cleanup of your local waterway, you can remove garbage that is already present. By publicizing your cleanup and getting the community involved, you can educate others about the impact their actions have on the environment and reduce future pollution. Won't you help us keep our Rivers Alive?
Acknowledgements
This manual would not have been possible without the assistance of the many organizers of cleanup events throughout the State of Georgia. Some of the material in this manual was taken from the Tennessee Valley Authority booklet, Organizing and Conducting a River Clean Up On Public Lands and Waterways, Water Quality Series Booklet 3.
Writers/Editors Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Staff
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GETTING STARTED
Organizing a cleanup takes a great deal of planning and preparation, but it is well worth it in the end. The information in this manual is designed to walk you through the process, making the best use of your time, effort, and resources for a successful event. Here is a sample checklist to get you started:
Organize a suitable planning Group Select an appropriate site Register your event Line up support Have a detailed action plan Arrange for disposal and recycling Publicize the event Recruit volunteers Coordinate your volunteers Collect data Publicize your accomplishments Recognize participants Evaluate your efforts
Organize a suitable planning group The average cleanup event involves a wide variety of tasks, from publicity and financing to parking and sanitation. Luckily, a community is made up of people with a wide variety of skills, and in a wellchosen planning group you will almost always find the perfect person for every job. Choose members from local government, civic organizations and clubs, homeowner associations, churches, and chambers of commerce. Invite people with knowledge of cleanup campaigns, such as park and recreation officials and members of local, state, and federal environmental and health agencies, to assist you. Because community campaigns live or die on publicity and promotion, enlist the local newspaper editor and radio or TV station managers. Once you have your group, write out your specific objectives. Outline what will be done, who will do it, and the specific results you want to achieve. By dividing the work among committees, you will allow each person's skills a chance to shine. It may also be helpful to list those who will benefit from specific tasks. A written list of objectives helps planners stay within goals, and helps in recruiting people by allowing volunteers to relate to something concrete. It also provides a yardstick for measuring progress and success.
Select an appropriate site Choose a site of workable size within a convenient distance for volunteers. The site should be large enough that volunteers will have plenty of work to do and small enough that they can complete the job and see their accomplishments. Evaluate access roads to see if traffic routing or directional signs will be needed. Make sure you have adequate parking. If no sanitation facilities are nearby, arrange for portable toilets. Volunteers will also need to be able to wash their hands, especially if refreshments are provided, so look for running water or plan to provide it.
Depending on the size and location of your cleanup, you may want to divide the site to be cleaned into workable areas or zones. To make zones, first obtain or create a map of the site. www.topozone.com provides excellent topographic maps, and www.mapquest.com or www.mapblast are good sources for street maps. Outline the area to be cleaned on the map, then visit the site. Determine the natural boundaries or breaks in the landscape such as rivers, roads, ravines, and cliffs and note them on the map, then divide up the site. It may be useful to lay a grid over the map to make sure zones are of
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equal size. Mark the zones clearly on the map and determine where you will need to put zone markers. Be sure when you plan your zones that they are easily accessible from a road or trail.
One technique that has worked well in the past for coordinators of large projects is to print a small map of each zone, along with directions to reach it from a central point. As volunteers register, each group is assigned to one of these zones and given a map. This eliminates confusion over who is to clean which areas, allows volunteers to familiarize themselves with the site ahead of time, and speeds the registration process.
Once you've selected an appropriate site, Rivers Alive urges you to:
REGISTER YOUR EVENT
By filling out a registration form online at http://www.riversalive.org/Registration.htm your cleanup will become a part of our statewide program. Information about your event will be placed on our website, providing instant publicity. You will receive a variety of promotional materials, including Tshirts for all volunteers that register before July 16, posters, and for eligible groups, a 3' x 6' banner, a template sponsorship request letter, and local press release and radio Public Service Announcements (PSA) to distribute to local media. Finally, you will be placed on the Rivers Alive contact list and will be notified as further information and resources become available. Those groups that register after the July 16 2001 deadline may still receive Rivers Alive T-shirts, only if extras are available.
On the registration form, you will be asked to provide your contact information, so that Rivers Alive will be able to get in touch with you and to provide potential volunteers with a place to direct inquiries. For publicity purposes, you will be asked for the names of any and all organizations participating in the cleanup. You will also be asked for the name and location of your waterway, the watershed of which it is a part (a map is provided on the website), and the date(s) and times of your cleanup. If you are requesting free souvenir T-shirts, we will need an estimate of the number of volunteers you expect to participate and a break out of the T-shirt sizes requested.
Line up support Community campaigns cost money, so line up adequate support early. Get at least a rough estimate early of what you'll need in the way of promotional materials, rental or purchase of special equipment and supplies, and prizes for participants. Prizes may range from certificates to souvenir caps, Rivers Alive T-shirts, and trophies (for most unusual piece of trash removed, etc.). Contact business people, club leaders, and government officials. Ask them to give what they can: cash, equipment, supplies, or services. When approaching potential donors, use the Rivers Alive template sponsorship request letter as a guideline, http://www.riversalive.com/organize.htm. Depending on the size and nature of your cleanup, you might need trucks and buses to move volunteers to work sites and take them back to a central point or maybe even take them home afterwards. A print shop might contribute special letterheads and envelopes. Trash bags are a must and can often be obtained as "in-kind" donations from grocery or supply companies. Trucks to haul the waste to the landfill and recycling center will be needed. Often times the county or city municipality will offer a local waste hauler to help remove debris. Food and drinks for the workers are essential and can usually be obtained through donations. Restaurants might give you refreshments. And don't forget first aid. The local fire department, Red Cross, or other emergency medical personnel may be willing to donate first aid kits and supplies, or they may even be interested in volunteering to serve as trained first aid administrators during the
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cleanup. In addition to direct appeals, groups may be asked to stage fund-raising activities like bake sales, raffles, flea markets, and auctions.
Have a detailed action plan Attention to detail cannot be overemphasized. Here are a few things that must be taken care of ahead of time:
Contact appropriate government officials to arrange litter pickups by sanitation trucks. Arrange special pickup services for heavy items like stoves, furniture, and refrigerators. Get necessary approval to use municipal or county waste disposal facilities. Special approval is often required if private vehicles are used to transport trash. If there's a dumping fee, seek a waiver. If the sanitation department can't work in a particular area, plan alternative assistance. Arrange with police for any needed traffic detours or other assistance at work sites. Prepare a zone map of the community for assigning cleanup crews. Determine the size of crew needed for each area and select zone captains. If your proposed cleanup area is not easily accessible or you have several widely scattered sites, consider providing transportation. Have a central meeting location for volunteers and arrange a shuttle system to transport crews to their designated sites. Have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate on the day of the cleanup. For example, if possible, choose a backup date (rain date) and include it in your promotional materials.
Arrange for Trash Disposal and Recycling Locate a permitted sanitary landfill for disposal of the collected waste. Then select an area near the cleanup site for separation of recyclable items for which there is a market, such as glass, aluminum, plastics, and tin. Recycling will decrease the amount of waste going to the landfill and may help defray the expenses of the cleanup. Be familiar with what recyclable materials your local recycling center or "drop-off" sites will accept and how they want the materials prepared. For example, will they accept broken glass? Do caps need to be removed from plastic containers? Will they accept aluminum cans that are filled with mud? Some recyclers prefer clean items, while others don't have requirements. The coordinator or zone captain needs to make arrangements for transporting recyclable materials to the nearest available recycler if your community or county does not have a recycling center or "drop-off" site. Money raised through recycling can help cover cleanup costs, be donated to local charities or schools, or used as "seed" money for future cleanups. See page 16 for information on finding your nearest recycling center.
Used automobile tires are a common problem in cleanup projects. It is illegal to dispose of whole tires in city and county landfills, though many landfills do collect them for later recycling. Check with your local sanitation department for regulations regarding tire disposal, or contact the Georgia Environmental Protection Division's scrap tire program at (404) 362-2537. A list of approved scrap tire processors is available on the EPD's website at http://www.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/.
In your cleanup, you may encounter large objects such as junked cars, sheet metal, or wooden loading pallets. It is tempting to remove them, but this should not be done without careful consideration and observation. Does it look like the material has been there for a long time? Is it embedded in the stream bank at all? Ugly as this type of litter is, it may be doing more good than harm. The number one problem in Georgia waterways is erosion of stream banks leading to muddy water and sedimentation or "silting-in" of streambeds. Heavy objects on the bank can help prevent erosion by
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slowing the flow of water and protecting the bare soil from being washed away. If you have helpful but unattractive litter at your site, contact the Natural Resource Conservation Service or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about bank stabilization. They can inspect the site and help you choose an appropriate method of dealing with the problem.
Publicize the event Good publicity is the best way to attract volunteers and reinforce the idea that everyone can do something to help--from donating supplies and equipment to contributing money or physical labor. Work with your local newspaper, television, and radio stations to help get your message out. Every year the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division creates a radio PSA that is distributed to most stations in the state. Check the event organizer section of the Rivers Alive web page for a list of these stations, http://www.riversalive.com/organize.htm. Contact your local station; they may be able to include a blurb about your local cleanup. Don't forget newsletters, church bulletins, schools, and speakers' bureaus. Local press releases are posted on the Rivers Alive web page in the organizer section. These can be easily adapted to help promote individual events. Many civic organizations have newsletters and welcome speakers at their meetings. Displaying posters and other printed materials in busy locations is also a good way to reach and inform the public. Choosing a theme or slogan for your event can evoke community pride and spirit and provide focus. Because cleanup events are usually repeated annually, a continuing theme provides long-term name recognition.
Recruit Volunteers Volunteers should be recruited in the same way as committee members, with careful consideration of various skills and interests. In addition to general public advertising, you may wish to focus special attention on service clubs such as Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis, environmental groups such as Sierra and Audubon Clubs, schools and school groups such as PTA and sports teams, recreational special interest clubs for fishermen, water skiers, horseback riders, and runners, and local churches and youth clubs like scouts, 4-H, FFA, and FHA. Your local chamber of commerce may also be helpful with volunteer contacts. Recruitment can take many forms. Personal phone calls, talks to civic clubs, discussions with elected officials, and appeals at public meetings can all be effective. Tailor your message to fit your audience; for instance, the local fire and police associations could be recruited to handle safety and parking.
Throughout your preparations, communication is key. If people are going to help, they have to know what's going on and what they're expected to do. Local news media can help. Provide a phone number people can call for information. Urge residents to get in the spirit of things and clean up their own property and/or businesses even if they're not volunteering for community cleanup assignments. As the cleanup event approaches, publicize times and locations for trash pickups.
Coordinate your volunteers It is vital to the success of any cleanup project that you have some type of site coordinators or zone captains. The planning group should select volunteer zone captains very early in the planning process. Since these volunteers play a key role in the success of the event, it is useful to choose zone captains that live near the area to be cleaned.
The zone captain is the link between the planning group and the cleanup sites. Zone captains help identify the sites and select the sign-in areas, and will have many responsibilities before and after the cleanup. Make sure potential zone captains understand this and are willing and able to devote the time required.
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Several months before the cleanup, zone captains should work with the committee chairpersons to distribute posters, brochures, and other promotional materials, recruit volunteers, work with the local press, arrange for first aid stations, secure donated refreshments, and arrange for local trash haulers to arrive immediately after the cleanup to take away the trash collected.
Just before the cleanup, zone captains should make directional markers and signs to help volunteers find the sign-in area. Numbered signs or color-coded flags are very effective. Zone captains should prepare the sign-in area in such a way that volunteers can collect necessary materials when they arrive, and leave without mass confusion. Easy-to-read maps of the cleanup site showing the zones should be available for volunteers.
To help volunteers easily identify the zone captain, you may want to provide each zone captain with a special T-shirt, armband, or hat. Some zone captains may want to use walkie-talkies to communicate with other volunteers along the beach or more remote river shorelines. Walkie-talkies can come in handy if volunteers need extra trash bags or if someone needs first aid.
Recycling takes extra coordination. Special coded bags can help volunteers sort items as they collect them, or trash can be sorted after the cleanup. Experienced cleanup organizers highly recommend that specific individuals be designated to collect only recyclable materials, while other individuals should collect only litter and debris during the cleanup for proper disposal. Using reusable mesh bags to collect recyclables can help with post-cleanup sorting because sorters can see the contents more easily.
ZONE CAPTAIN CHECKLIST
1. Work with event coordinator to identify area to be cleaned. 2. Recruit hard-working people to lead groups of volunteers and to assist you. 3. Arrange training meeting with people who will lead volunteer groups onsite. 4. Recruit volunteers to clean area. Contact groups such as scout troops or civic associations
to get large numbers of volunteers. 5. Work with the local press to publicize the event. 6. Distribute posters and brochures locally. 7. Select convenient sign-in site for area to be cleaned. 8. Arrange for first aid assistance during cleanup. 9. Contact local trash haulers and recycling centers and arrange for the trash to be hauled
away or recycled. If you are weighing trash, select method and coordinate getting trash weighed. 10. Make and install directional signs and site markers. 11. Prepare maps of the area to pass out to volunteers at the cleanup. 12. Make volunteer assignments onsite.
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VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS
Assign Crews to Work as Close to Their Homes as Possible Be sure volunteers know where to assemble, what equipment will be there, and who will supervise them. See that each zone captain has a grid map with the assigned cleanup areas clearly identified.
Supply Each Crew With Large Trash Bags A volunteer should be assigned to distribute bags. Zone captains should make it clear where volunteers are to leave the bags for pickup after they're filled. Schedule trash pickups so that neither trucks nor crews are kept waiting.
Make Transportation Arrangements in Advance Volunteers may be needed to transport other volunteers. Spell out arrangements for crew transportation so volunteers can be moved efficiently from site to site as needed.
Provide Volunteer Equipment Assign a volunteer to distribute equipment. See that volunteers wear heavy gloves and are adequately supplied with rakes and shovels to handle compacted trash. To weigh trash onsite, make sure each location is provided with a fish or bathroom scale and instructions on how to weigh the trash.
Weighing the Trash One important measure of success is how much litter and debris was removed, and this is commonly expressed in pounds or tons. Volunteers will need to weigh the trash they collect to determine this. There are two options for determining the weight of the trash collected. If you are trying to compare the weight of recyclables versus nonrecyclables, you may want to count and weigh individual bags using either a fish or a bathroom scale. Fish scales that weigh up to 30 pounds are preferred because they are lightweight, compact, and usually come in a carrying case. They can be purchased at most sporting good stores. Bathroom scales weigh up to 300 pounds and can also be used to weigh individual bags. For large cleanups, this may not be practical. You will probably need to count the number of bags on the truck and weigh the entire load on either portable or permanent platform scales. A platform scale is a scale you drive onto with the entire vehicle. The total weight of the trash is determined by subtracting the weight of the vehicle. Most landfills and major recycling centers have platform scales. To get the weight per bag, divide the number of bags into the total weight of the trash.
Collect data Don't wait until after the event to decide what information you want to gather. Get your planning committee together ahead of time and develop a list. The official Rivers Alive tally sheet, available online at http://riversalive.org/final_tally_form.htm, asks for the following:
The number of volunteers participating and the total number of volunteer hours worked, The number of trash bags, dump trucks, and/or pounds of trash collected, The most common and most unusual items collected, The amount of recyclable material salvaged, and The approximate size of the area cleaned (river/lake/wetland/coastland miles)
You may wish to create your own data forms to collect extra information; for example, whether any animals are observed that have been injured by trash. If recycling proceeds are given to charity, you may want to list the amount of money raised. Distribute your data collection forms to zone captains before the cleanup to allow them time to prepare.
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Publicize your accomplishments Everyone will be eager to see the results of their work, so compile your data as soon after the event as possible. Most importantly:
SUBMIT YOUR FINAL TALLY FORM
Rivers Alive wants to hear about your successful cleanup! Send us the information from your data forms by filling out the on line final tally form at http://riversalive.org/final_tally_form.htm. We'll use this information to document the statewide cleanup effort and to attract future sponsors. All data will be posted on the web site and a final report will created based on all river cleanup data. This report will be made available by request for all participating groups. Groups that submit their final tally forms may also qualify to receive a free watershed sign in recognition of their efforts.
Arrange for photos to be taken before, during, and after the event and publish them along with the totals. Contact the local media who helped you advertise before the cleanup and share your results. Be sure to recognize everyone in the community who made your success possible. Rivers Alive is happy to publish photos on our website; send them via email to harold_harbert@mail.dnr.state.ga.us, or regular mail to:
Rivers Alive C/O Barbara King DNR Environmental Protection Division 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354
Recognize Participants Make your cleanup as enjoyable as possible for volunteers. Consider providing music--a local band willing to play at the site or even a portable radio or two can lighten the mood and turn the work into an enjoyable event. Locate a convenient shady spot where workers can rest, and provide seating and refreshments. Plenty of drinking water is a must, and local restaurants or grocery stores may be willing to donate ice, juices, soft drinks, or snacks. Allow time at the end of the day for participants to relax, socialize, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
If possible, give your volunteers a memento. Water-related buttons, stickers, or T-shirts are readily available (Rivers Alive provides free T-shirts bearing the official program logo to all groups that register before July 16, 2001), appropriate for almost everyone, and provide a sense of unity among workers. Recognize government officials, unions, businesses, and other organizations that cooperated with thank-you letters or certificates of appreciation, perhaps including before-and-after photos of the cleanup site so that they too can see what they helped to accomplish.
Evaluate your efforts When the event is completed, it is important to evaluate what you accomplished. It will help future planners to capitalize on your successes and avoid your mistakes. But you can't wait until the end of the event to think about evaluation. An evaluation committee should be chosen in the planning stage to monitor the entire sequence of events, noting what worked well and what went wrong. Poll your volunteers as they leave, either by providing a questionnaire or by simply having the zone captains ask their crews what they thought of the event. Within a week, get your committee together and make a list of what went well, what needed improvement, and what, if anything, failed completely. What
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problems did they have? What would they do to improve future events? The evaluation committee should compile a final report of what they've learned. With this report, you'll be well on your way toward an even more successful cleanup next year.
RESOURCES The remaining pages of this manual contain checklists, sample forms, contact information, and other resources, which we hope you will find useful in planning your cleanup project.
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CLEANUP CAMPAIGN CHECKLIST (For Planners)
Contact Appropriate Local Government Officials for: Pickups by sanitation trucks Permission to use municipal or county waste disposal facilities if all pickups are not being made by the sanitation department; if there is a fee to use the disposal site, ask that it be waived for the cleanup period Traffic detoured if and when necessary Police assistance with traffic if and when necessary Special pickups for heavy items (furniture and appliances) Police cooperation with junked car removal; if cars must be tagged before removal, follow required procedure
Prepare Zone Map of Community for Cleanup Crew Assignments Determine size of crew needed to clean each area Determine transportation needs to get crews to and from their areas Determine what additional litter pickups will be required in areas where sanitation department will not be available Determine where crews will need portable sanitary facilities
Recruit Cleanup Volunteers Where possible, assign crews to areas near their homes to eliminate need for transportation and sanitary facilities Be sure crews know when and where to assemble, and what equipment will be there Choose a "rain date" and define "rain" very precisely Ask college students or youth groups to survey outlying or sparsely populated areas to locate items that may need to be trucked out
Secure Cooperation of Business and Industry Ask for donations of trash bags, refreshments, and other equipment and loans of trucks and buses. Be sure that contributors get adequate credit for their donations in cleanup publicity.
Publicize the Event List time and locations for trash pickups Give a telephone number where people can call for information, to volunteer, or to report heavily littered areas Urge residents to clean their own property and/or businesses at the time the community event is taking place
Coordinate Volunteers Appoint zone captains for each crew and see that they have a grid map with their assigned area clearly marked, a schedule of pickup times, and a written description of transportation arrangements Supply each crew member with several large trash bags and make it clear where each crew is to leave filled bags for pickup See that volunteers wear heavy gloves and are adequately supplied with rakes and shovels to handle compacted trash
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Follow-up Write thank-you letters to all cooperating government officials, unions, businesses, and organizations If possible, reward all volunteers with a button, decal, or other small item showing they helped in the cleanup
The information for this checklist was provided courtesy of Keep America Beautiful, Inc, Mill River Plaza, 9 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06902.
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VOLUNTEER SAFETY GUIDELINES (For Planners and Zone Captains)
What should volunteers bring? Some simple tools can make a volunteer's job safer and easier. A trash poker, used for picking up paper and aluminum cans, alleviates much of the bending over to pick up trash and reduces the amount of handling. One can be made by partially inserting a nail into the end of a wooden dowel or broomstick handle and then cutting off the head of the nail with wire cutters. Instruct volunteers to be careful when using the poker and always hold the sharp end towards the ground. Also, be careful not to puncture aerosol cans with the poker, as they may explode or emit harmful chemicals. Another useful tool is a pair of long tongs, such as barbecue tongs. These can be used for picking up pieces of broken glass and other objects.
What should volunteers wear? High-topped work boots with non-skid soles will help prevent slips and falls. NO TENNIS SHOES! Long pants are a must, and a long sleeved shirt is advisable. The coordinator should have several pairs of heavy-duty work gloves available for volunteers who do not bring their own. During hunting season, brightly colored clothing should be worn. Your local Department of Transportation may be able to provide orange vests for volunteers to wear. Sunscreen should be applied to prevent overexposure to harmful UV rays, and insect repellant should be applied before going into the field during certain times of the year. If public announcements are used for recruiting volunteers, information concerning proper attire should be included.
Will there be poison ivy? There will most likely be poison ivy at your cleanup site. Be aware that it starts losing its leaves in October in Georgia, making it harder to spot, but it is still possible to have an allergic reaction to the bare vines. Prevention is always the best policy. Gloves, long pants tied at the top of boots, and long sleeved shirts can help prevent exposure. Make sure volunteers are able to identify poison ivy (and poison oak, poison sumac, and stinging nettle if these grow in your area) and advise them to wash all clothing and equipment as soon as they get home. If exposure does occur, flush the area with large amounts of cool water as soon as possible. Poison ivy rashes can be treated with many over-thecounter ointments.
What about ticks? If your cleanup site is in a wooded or brushy area, tick exposure is likely. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot, and pants tied or tucked into boots and commercial tick repellants will help to reduce the probability of bites. DEET, permethrin (Permanone, Duranon, etc), and sulfur powder are good tick repellents, but must be used with care, especially on children. Volunteers should be advised to check themselves carefully for "passengers" when they get home, paying special attention to the scalp and using a mirror to check the back and any other hard-to-see areas. Clothing should be shaken and washed immediately. If an attached tick is found, it should be grasped firmly with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pulled out. The area should then be washed with soap and water, checking to make sure that no mouthparts remain embedded in the skin, and an antibiotic salve applied. Ticks can carry disease, so if a rash or flulike symptoms appear within a month after the bite, medical help should be sought immediately.
Can volunteers work alone? It is best if volunteers work in groups of three or more. If one person is injured, one can stay with the injured person while the other goes for help.
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What if somebody gets hurt? In the case of severe injury, the first priority is to stabilize the victim. One person should go for help while another stays with the injured person. The coordinator should be notified as soon as possible. If a volunteer has a minor injury, the zone captain should be notified. The zone captains will have first aid kits. Ideally, each group of volunteers should have someone trained in first aid, preferably the zone captain. To obtain training and certification in first aid, contact your local Red Cross office, which can be found at http:www.redcross.org.
What should be in the first aid kit? A good first aid kit should contain the following:
Telephone numbers of emergency personnel such as the police and ambulance service First aid manual which outlines diagnosis and treatment procedures Disposable gloves Bandages for minor cuts Gauze pads 3 and 4 inches square for deep wounds with excessive bleeding 1 or 2 inch roll of adhesive tape for holding bandages in place, covering blisters, and taping sprained ankles Needle for opening blisters and removing splinters Tweezers Single-edged razor blade for cutting tape to size and shaving hairy spots before taping 12-inch roll of gauze bandage for large cuts Butterfly bandages for closing cuts Triangular bandage for large wounds, splints, or slings Large compress bandage to hold dressings in place 3-inch-wide elastic bandage for sprains and applying pressure to bleeding wounds Antibiotic salve Hand sanitizer (may also be used to sanitize instruments before and after use; let dry between uses) Clean water should also be available for washing wounds.
What about large drums or other suspicious-looking containers? Don't touch them. While most of the trash encountered can be safely removed by volunteers, there are items to be avoided. Large drum-type containers, which may contain hazardous wastes, and any other suspicious-looking containers such as hospital wastes or explosives should be reported to the zone captain, who should then inform the proper authorities. Workers should not attempt to lift heavy objects without sufficient help.
What else should be avoided? Volunteers may encounter animals, for example dogs, bulls, or goats. The best policy is to leave them alone. Debris piles and vegetated areas may contain snakes, hornets, and wasps and should be approached with caution. Avoid trespassing on private property.
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WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING (For Volunteers)
What should I wear? High-topped work boots with non-skid soles Hat or scarf for sun protection Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. For extra protection against poison ivy and ticks, tuck pants into boots or tie the bottoms.
Tip: during hunting season, wear a bright orange vest or other brightly colored clothing. What should I bring?
Heavy duty work gloves Trash poker Tip: make one by partially inserting a nail into the end of a wooden dowel or broomstick handle and then cutting off the head of the nail. Pair of long tongs (BBQ style) Insect repellant (DEET, permethrin or sulfur powder will help repel ticks) Sunscreen Phone number to call in case of emergency Completed medical information form Signed volunteer agreement form Signed parental consent form for volunteers under 18 years of age
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Georgia River Cleanup
SIGN IN SHEET FOR RIVER CLEANUP
Please read these safety procedures carefully and sign below:
1. Never work alone.
2. Always wear work gloves, shoes, and protective clothing. 3. Know the location of the first aid kit at your site. 4. Be careful when handling broken glass, sharp objects, aerosol cans, and
containers with chemical residue. When in doubt, DON'T PICK IT UP! 5. Be on the lookout for snakes, wasps, and hornets in debris piles or
vegetated areas. 6. Look out for poison ivy and poison oak. 7. Do not disturb any large drum-like containers. Report locations of these to
the zone captain. 8. Use common sense about lifting heavy objects. Get help. Don't try to
remove objects that cannot be removed safely. If necessary, report location to the zone captain. 9. Stay clear of dogs, bulls, goats, and other animals. 10. Report any accidents or injuries to the zone captain immediately.
I have read the above safety procedures which I am to follow while participating in the river cleanup event. I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in this event and that I am responsible for my own safety. In case of an emergency, please contact the person listed on the form.
Note: Do not sign on the back of this sheet. Use additional copies of this form.
Name and Address (PRINT)
Person to call in case of an emergency (Name and Phone #)
Participant's Signature
1.
2.
3.
4.
Area:
Zone Captain:
Page
Of
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Georgia River Cleanup
RELEASE & WAIVER FORM
Please read this form carefully, and ask any questions that you may have before you sign it.
I understand that my participation in the Georgia River Cleanup may involve activities including (a) cleaning up stream and river banks that may be steep and hazardous, (b) canoeing in or wading in streams or rivers that may contain strong currents or uneven bottoms, (c) cleaning up near highways or roads that may have motor vehicle traffic, (d) cutting vegetation with sharp tools, (e) picking up broken glass, rusty cans, and other potentially dangerous trash, and (f) cleaning up in or near a stream or river that may contain harmful pollutants.
I understand and acknowledge that my participation in any of these activities is completely voluntary. I also understand that I will select the activities in which I will participate, and that it is my responsibility to choose activities that I can handle. I further understand that at any time during the Cleanup, I can choose to do another activity that I may feel more comfortable performing.
I acknowledge that I am in good health. I agree not to participate in any activities that are beyond my physical capacity. I agree not to engage in any activities that are in or near a water body at my cleanup site if I cannot swim or if I have any open cuts or sores.
I understand that the Cleanup is a potentially dangerous activity. Nonetheless, I assume all risks associated with participating in the Cleanup. I understand that these risks include, but are not limited to, those risks (a) that are listed in paragraph one, (b) that are associated with travel to and from my Cleanup site, (c) that involve natural events such as the weather or conditions of the river or stream, and (d) that involve Cleanup equipment such as canoes, waders, life jackets, or cutting tools. I assume these risks knowing that during the Cleanup (a) I could suffer serious bodily injury or die, (b) I will probably receive cuts and abrasions, and (c) I could easily lose personal property such as watches or jewelry.
I waive and release the sponsors, organizers, Cleanup volunteers, and Cleanup site property owners from all actions, liabilities, damages, and claims of any kind that relate to my participation in the Cleanup. I understand and acknowledge that my release and waiver also binds my heirs, administrators, executors, personal representatives, and assigns. I also understand and acknowledge that my release and waiver applies to the following: (any and all present or future demands, actions, causes of action, liens of any kind, costs, expenses, debts, liabilities, judgments, sums of money, damages, or claims of any kind or character that in any way relate to my participation in the Cleanup) that I may have against the following: (any and all sponsors, organizers, volunteers, and Cleanup site owners involved in the Cleanup, as well as the affiliates, directors, officers, trustees, employees, representatives, or agents of such sponsors, organizers, volunteers, and site owners).
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RELEASE & WAIVER (cont.) I further agree to hold the sponsors, organizers, volunteers, and site owners
harmless and to indemnify them against all actions, causes of action, claims or demands, liabilities, damages, expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, judgments and costs with respect to any injuries, death, or other damages or losses, resulting from my voluntary participation in the Cleanup.
I understand and agree that if I am injured during the Cleanup, the organizers or other volunteers of the Cleanup may render medical or other services to me, or request that others provide such services. I understand further that by taking such action, the organizers and volunteers are not admitting any liability to provide or to continue to provide any such services and that such action is not a waiver by the organizers or volunteers of any rights under my release and waiver. I acknowledge and agree that should I require transport to a medical facility with respect to any injuries suffered as a result of my participation in the Cleanup, that I am financially responsible for such transportation and medical treatment costs. I also acknowledge that if I am injured during the Cleanup, it is my responsibility to seek appropriate medical care and to notify the Cleanup organizers.
I VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLEANUP. I HAVE READ THIS FORM OR HAVE HAD IT READ IT TO ME. I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ITS CONTENTS. I HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED TO MY SATISFACTION.
________________________ Participant's Signature
________________________ Printed Name
Date: ___________________
If participant is under 18 years of age, parent/legal guardian must sign below:
I am the parent/legal guardian of _________________ (Participant) and I hereby consent to his/her participation. I have read, understand and hereby agree on behalf of myself and the Participant to the terms set forth above.
________________________ Parent/Legal Guardian's Signature
________________________ Printed Name
Date: ___________________
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WHAT TO RECYCLE AND HOW TO PREPARE IT
Glass: Bottles, jars, and jugs. Remove tops and rinse out. Separate by color (green, brown, and clear). Labels do not need to be removed. Bi-metals: "Tin and steel" food cans in all sizes should be rinsed out for return. Labels do not have to be removed. Papers: Recycle by grade. Computer, office file stock, newsprint, and corrugated cardboard. Plastics: There are two common types of recyclable plastic. Containers need to be cleaned and flattened. Tops have to be removed, but labels do not. 1. PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)--soda and other "soft plastic" bottles. 2. HDPE (high-density polyethylene)--plastic milk, water, juice, and some other "hard plastic" bottles. Metals: Aluminum cans, radiators, appliances, and scrap metals (iron, aluminum, brass, copper, zinc, lead, stainless steel). Higher prices are normally paid for these materials when returned clean. Auto Batteries: Batteries are a hazardous waste and are illegal to landfill in most areas. Take old batteries to a buy-back center, service center, or auto parts retailer. Do not ever throw batteries away! Used oil: Used motor oil should be taken to a local service station or oil collection center. Do not contaminate the oil with any other substances. Organic wastes: Vegetable scraps, leaves, yard brush, and grass clippings can be composted for soil conditioning or mulching instead of taking up valuable landfill space. Contact your County Extension Office or Soil Conservation District for more information about home composting.
WHERE TO RECYCLE IT
Recyclables can be returned to: buy-back centers, which pay current prices for materials, drop-off or convenience centers, where you can drop off your recyclables alongside regular solid waste, or various charitable organizations, which collect them for fundraisers.
To locate your nearest recycling centers, visit http://www.cleanup.org.
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IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
Department of Community Affairs http://www.dca.state.ga.us/
404-679-4840
Keep Georgia Beautiful http://www.KeepGeorgiaBeautiful.org
404-679-4910
Pollution Prevention Assistance Division http://www.p2ad.org/
404-651-5120
Wildlife Resources Division http://www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/
912-994-1438
Environmental Protection Division http://www.ganet/org/dnr/environ/
1-888-EPD-5947 or 404-657-5947
Air Protection Branch http://uam.air.dnr.state.ga.us/
404-363-7006
Natural Resources Conservation Service
706-546-2272
http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/georgia.html
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Division http://hq.environmental.usace.army.mil/index.html
Hazardous Waste Management Branch
404-656-7802
Water Protection Branch
404-675-6232
Industrial Wastewater Unit
404-362-2680
Solid Waste Management Program
404-362-2692
EPD Emergency Response
1-800-241-4113 or 404-656-4863
Sewage Spill
404-362-2680
Water Resources Management
404-656-3094
EPA Acid Rain Hotline
202-233-9620
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
404-675-1639 or 404-675-1636
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