Rivers Alive – Data Collection Sheet
Click on the link to the right to download the Data Collection Sheets - PDF Format or Word Format
Have
participants work in small teams.
Have a one person serves as the data recorder while others pick up
trash. As an item is collected, a
person should call out what they found for the recorder. The recorder should place a tic mark
next to the item on the data sheet.
At the end of the day, tally the number of tics and place the number in
the blank in front of the item name. Once completed, turn this data card into
the event organizer to be tallied with other cards for the final cleanup
report.
Why Collect
Detailed Data?
Rivers Alive
encourages you to use this data sheet to collect detailed information on what
types of trash are being collected.
At the local level, this information may help identify sources of trash
on the waterway that can be eliminated.
On a statewide level, this data can help identify where education efforts
need to be concentrated in order to reduce pollution of our waterways. Globally, the data is submitted to The
Ocean Conservancy and incorporated into their annual report, which has been used
by EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and others to identify threats facing the waters of the
nation. To learn more about this
worldwide effort and to download their annual report, visit http://www.oceanconservancy.org/ According to the United
Nations Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution, in
the early 1990s, land-based activities accounted for 60-80% of the world’s
marine pollution. This debris is
carried to the ocean in part by creeks and rivers. When you consider Georgia has
70,150 miles of streams that flow to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean,
that is a lot of potential debris that could end up in your oceans if we don’t
keep your streams and rivers clean.
If your group
is collecting recyclables, below are some tips on preparing your items:
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.
Most are not going to have useable paper to
recycle
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.
Tires: Landfills will not always
accept tires or may charge a fee.
Try to partner with your local government to accept the tires free of
charge. If there is not a tire
processor in your area, visit EPD’s website at www.state.ga.us/dnr/environ or
call 404-363-7027.
Time
it takes for debris to decompose in the environment:
Glass bottle 1 million years, Monofilament fishing line 600 years, Plastic beverage bottles 450 years, Disposable diapers 450 years, Aluminum can 80-200 years, Foamed plastic buoy 80 years, Rubber boot sole 50-80 years, Foamed plastic cup 50 years, Tin can 50 years, Leather 50 years, Nylon fabric 30-40 years, Plastic film canister 20-30 years, Plastic bag 10-20 years, Cigarette filter 1-5 years, Wool sock 1-5 years, Plywood 1-3 years, Waxed milk carton 3 months, Apple core 2 months, Newspaper 6 weeks, Orange or banana peel 2-5 weeks, Paper towel 2-4 weeks, Sources: US National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL and “Garbage In, Garbage Out, “Audubon magazine, Sept/Oct 1999
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