Trash Traps in Raleigh

What’s A Trash Trap?

A trash trap is a floating metal cage that’s designed to capture trash and litter in a stream. When it rains, stormwater runoff can carry trash into our streams and creeks. Trash traps collect plastic bottles, styrofoam, and other litter so it can be removed from the creek.

Where are Raleigh’s Trash Traps?

You can find trash traps at the locations list below and see each on the map.

1. Little Rock Creek at the Walnut Creek Wetland Park
2. Marsh Creek at Stony Brook Road
3. Marsh Creek at Greywood Drive
4. Walnut Creek at Lake Johnson

Program Overview

We partnered with Raleigh Parks and Sound Rivers Inc. to place an in-stream trash trap in Little Rock Creek at Walnut Creek Wetland Park. This floating trap captures trash while still allowing wildlife to safety navigate the stream. After large rain events, volunteers clean and remove trash collected by the trap. Since the first trap, we partnered with the Great Raleigh Cleanup to install three more traps to continue litter reduction efforts.

How To Get Involved

Volunteer opportunities are managed by Sound Rivers. To learn more about how to volunteer for a trash trap cleanup, visit the Sound Rivers Volunteer website.