A SOLUTION TO WATER POLLUTION

Beautify Our Blueways is a Leadership Pinebelt initiative in partnership with Piney Woods Conservation Group

that aims to reduce litter in the Leaf and Bouie Rivers.

Most waterway litter comes from the land-based activities, impacting water quality, endangering wildlife, and polluting recreational areas. To address this, we are installing litter collection devices in Hattiesburg's

drainage channels to prevent litter from floating downstream.

Together, we can make our Blueways cleaner and safer rivers.

RIVERS ARE THE MAIN SOURCE
OF OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION

PINEY WOODS CONSERVATION GROUP
COLLECTED
OVER

OF TRASH OUT OF THE LEAF RIVER ON EARTH DAY 2024

1000 LBS

Marine plastics cost the US
about $6-9 BILLION a year.

of trash found in rivers is plastic bags

14.1%

The US spends about
$11.5 BILLION
per year cleaning
up litter

HALF of the US rivers, lakes, and streams are
TOO POLLUTED for swimming, fishing,
or drinking.

OUR LITTER BOOMS

A litter boom is a floating barrier that prevents trash from floating downstream. Widely used in waterways, booms use flotation structures with suspended curtains designed to capture buoyant materials. They are typically anchored to a shoreline and the bottom downstream of one or more outfalls.

Litter booms can be connected to trash traps which are designed to collect trash being accumulated from the boom.

While organized cleanups help, one rain event can wash litter back into waterways. Aquatic trash is an ongoing issue that requires continuous efforts. Litter collection devices can significantly reduce this problem.

With your help we can stop litter from flowing downstream into the Leaf and Bouie Rivers.