An estimated 13.2 tons of trash were collected by volunteers at the Trinity River Trash Bash last year, and volunteers will be picking up trash again Saturday.

The 20th annual Trinity River Trash Bash will focus on the clean up around the Trinity River Saturday, Brenda Fry, the director of the Trinity River Trash Bash in Fort Worth, said.

Volunteers at each of the 6 locations along the Trinity River will be given trash bags as well as gloves to use to pick up trash, Fry said.

Every year, larger amounts of trash are collected as the Trinity Regional Water District expands the area covered by the bash, she said.

Stephanie Sunico, an environmental science instructor, said if trash is not removed from the river it will eventually make its way into the oceans, causing global environmental problems.

“To me, taking care of our rivers only makes sense,” Sunico said.

Sunico said the Trinity is actually quite healthy, for an urban river. Caring for the environment is a sign of a good city, and proves that the people of Fort Worth value all the Trinity has to offer, she said.

Aryn Young, a senior environmental science major, is a member of the environmental science club and went to the bash last year.

“It’s a great way to serve Fort Worth and the environment,” Young said.

Young said she became involved because environmental science issues are important to her.

She wanted to see TCU get more involved and have a meeting place for people who share the same interests, she said.

While registration numbers usually increase every year, the heat may be to blame for a decrease in volunteers this year, Fry said. 1,700 volunteers are currently registered for the event, a decrease from the 3,000 who were registered last year.

Fry said they expect to collect the same amount of trash as last year despite the lower numbers of volunteers because they have added two new locations to this year’s bash.

According to the Tarrant County Water District’s website, after cleanup volunteers are invited to an after party at Panther Island Pavilion for free food, door prizes and entertainment.

20th Annual Trinity River Clean Up
When: Saturday, Sept. 17 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: Crystelle Waggoner Trailhead, Trinity River