Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative

LITTERING BY THE NUMBERS

18%
of District residents believe the fish that come out of local waters are safe to eat.

8%
believe local creeks and rivers are clean enough for swimming.

70%
of residents said seeing litter on the ground or in the water bothers them "a lot."

94%
of residents believe that littering contributes to "filth and bacteria" and 67% "would worry about that."

What is Going On?

Support the Prince George’s County Bag Bill and Help Reduce Trash at Its Source!

A small fee on single-use bags in stores creates an incentive for consumers to bring their own reusable bags to the store causing a decrease in the use of single use bags in the county where it is in place. These bags make up a large percentage of the trash that pollutes our watershed and by reducing them at their source, we are reducing the abundance found in our watershed.

Proof of Success
Since enacting the bill, DC has seen an estimated 50% reduction in the use of disposable carry out bags (from 270 million bags in 2009 to 55 million bags in 2010).

In a poll we conducted in 2010, 78% of businesses reported either positive or no impact to their business and 75% of DC residents reported using fewer single-use plastic bags.

Ways to Get Involved
Please call or write to Prince George’s County Delegates and urge them to enact PG 402-12.

Your personal phone call is very valuable, but you can also reach all the delegates by signing this petition.

Latest News

Study of U.S. Capital's Plastic Bag Fee Indicates Behavioral Change and Positive Support Research Shows Litter is a Widespread Issue for Washington, D.C. Residents and Businesses, February 23, 2011 View press release

Report on Public Perceptions and Willingness to Address Litter in the District of Columbia Download Report

The Keith Campbell Foundation Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments Constellation Energy Exxon Mobil George Mason University