Quad Cities Mayors Working Together to Reduce Plastic Pollution in the Mississippi River
Local officials, citizen scientists, and community organizations will gather on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Jetty Park in an effort to combat plastic pollution along the Mississippi River. The initiative is being directed through the leadership of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) and the mayors of the Mississippi River, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and
This is the second pilot phase of the Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative in which local data collection efforts will occur throughout the Quad Cities during the month of October. Community volunteers will clean up trash and use the free Debris Tracker app to identify plastic pollution that will inform scientists, policymakers and businesses in their efforts to reduce the amount of plastics ending up in the Mississippi River, which ultimately ends up in the world’s oceans.
According to city officials, residents can collect data on their own or as part of an organized event. The event in Bettendorf will occur with media availability and participants from local and program leaders.
Who:
- Mayor Gallagher, Bettendorf Iowa
- Mayor Maddasion, Clinton Iowa
- Mayor Thoms, Rock Island, Illinois
- Mayor Matson, Daveport, Iowa
- Steve Aherns, Riverfront Improvement Commission, City of Davenport
- Dr. Jenna Jambeck, University of Georgia, College of Engineering
- Scott County Waste Commission
What:
- Remarks, media opportunity, cleanup, training and data collection
Where:
Bettendorf, IA 52722
When:
- Friday, October 15, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. Central