National River Cleanup Day

National River Cleanup Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to cleaning up litter in rivers and other bodies of water. People come together to help nature thrive. These events help improve the ecosystems of water bodies and make them suitable for swimming. The holiday is observed on the third Saturday in May.

History

The history of National River Cleanup Day is not well documented, but the first evidence of such an event dates back to 1991. That year, American Rivers organized a large-scale effort, uniting thousands of people across the United States to clean up litter from rivers.

One river that received special attention was the Hudson River, where most of the trash was collected. The source of much of this pollution was toxic waste dumped by General Electric, along with untreated wastewater. Cleaning rivers of garbage can improve water flow and eliminate areas of stagnation, leading to better water quality.

Rivers are essential freshwater arteries for the planet, and it’s vital that people do everything they can to prevent and address pollution.

Interesting facts

• The first event in 1991 collected more than a million tons of trash from rivers across the United States.
• More than 3 million people worldwide die each year from drinking contaminated water.
• Plastic bottles are one of the most common types of water pollution. Of all the bottles produced, only 15% are recycled.

How to celebrate

Participate in a river cleanup event in your area. Join a team of volunteers in your city or state and help make nature cleaner.

Spread the word about the holiday on social media. Ask users about the condition of rivers in their area.

When is National River Cleanup Day in 2025?

National River Cleanup Day is observed on the third Saturday of May.

Observations