Trash Traps in Raleigh

What’s A Trash Trap?

A trash trap is a floating metal cage that’s designed to passively capture in-stream litter. When it rains, runoff can carry trash into our streams and creeks. Traps collect trash like 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 these three locations.

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

Program Overview

In 2022, Raleigh Stormwater, Raleigh Parks, partnered with Sound Rivers Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean waterways, 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. This not only helps keep Little Rock Creek cleaner and healthier, but it also helps Walnut Creek and other areas downstream.

Since the first trap, the City and Sound Rivers, in partnership with the Great Raleigh Cleanup, have installed two more traps in the Marsh Creek watershed 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.