Garbage we have pulled out of the downtown Rideau River

Since 2001 the volunteers of Urban Rideau Conservationists have pulled tons of garbage out of the Rideau. Here is a list of some of the types of garbage we have pulled out of the down town portion of the Rideau River:

Plastic bags from all the major grocery chains in Ottawa, plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic food covering, plastic food trays, pop cans, styrofoam from construction companies developing in Ottawa, grocery carts, car parts, decaying boats, mattresses, ovens and fridges, various pieces of furniture, paint cans, batteries of all sorts, tires, bikes, needles, old clothing, shoes, several hundred dollars in cash(!), wine bottles, beer bottles, antiques, televisions, computers, the list goes on and on.

How garbage build up can harm the Rideau River

1.Litter chokes municipal intakes, and effects the flow of water
2.Chemicals found in garbage can kill wildlife immediately, or end up stored in animal tissues
3.Accumulated garbage can attract vermin and is a breeding ground for bacteria
4.Litter can choke or suffocate marine life and birds, small animals can get trapped in trash
5.People and wildlife can injure themselves on glass or metal found close to the river
6.Toxic materials can leak out of certain types of trash which can cause serious problems
7.Organic matter thrown into the Rideau can negatively effect it's environmental health

8.Garbage build up in the Rideau sends the message out that we do not care about the natural ecosystems trying to survive in the Rideau