The Ohio River Sweep is an annual cleanup for the Ohio River and its tributaries. The event encompasses more than 3,000 miles of shoreline from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Cairo, Illinois.

Over the past 27 years, improvements made in water quality have resulted in increased recreational use of the Ohio River and its tributaries. The increase in recreation produces more litter on the riverbanks. Because of this progression, a yearly cleanup program is necessary.

In addition to keeping the riverbanks clean, it is hoped that an increased public exposure to the river will foster greater environmental concerns for its future.

From 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 17, the Lawrence-Scioto County Recycling and Litter Prevention Program will sponsor five cleanup locations in Lawrence County and four cleanup locations in Scioto County. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt, and the district will provide gloves, garbage bags and refreshments.

Safety tips for volunteers include watching where you walk to avoid broken glass, needles, rusty nails and poison ivy, never placing yourself in a dangerous situation such as trying to collect trash floating in the river, wearing old, comfortable clothing and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, wearing gloves that will be provided to protect your hands, and avoiding areas overgrown with weeds and/or vegetation.

All volunteers are required to sign a waiver before litter pickup begins.

For more information or to register your group, please contact Stephanie Helms at the Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste Management District, 101 N. Third Street, Ironton, or call 740-532-1231 between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.