By Tristan Ruppert

Published: Jul. 27, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - We are on your side with an update on Jefferson County’s effort to clean up waterways in your community.

The county is partnering with the Osprey Initiative to place different “Litter Gitter” devices and booms in 15 different locations.

The purpose of the initiative is to ensure community members are disposing of their trash properly. A lot of trash has ended up in the riverways, according to Osprey Initiative Regional Manager Mitch Lowe.

“I believe we are over 17,000 pounds, well over now in Jefferson County,” said Lowe.

Lowe says most of that weight comes from items like styrofoam cups and plastic bottles.

These are items that don’t weigh much, which means the Osprey team has collected thousands of these items from our local water ways.

County Commissioner Lashunda Scales says this is a big deal for the health of the water ways.

“I believe that this is going to be life changing for those who are very concerned about our environment. This is going to be the way we do it in Jefferson County. So today represents a great day and you are seeing your county tax dollars at work,” said Commissioner Scales.

The county will spend $125,000 a year for the next three years to help fund the clean-up efforts. The Osprey Team will monitor the 15 sites in Jefferson County.

“We will come out and just make sure everything is in functioning condition before we know we have a big rain coming. Then the team will come through after, clean all the litter out of the boom, collect a data set from it, get out weights and separate our recyclables from our trash. Recycle what we can,” said Lowe.

Lowe says they hope their efforts encourage young kids to get out on the water right here in Alabama.

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