September Updates
Our annual "Cheers to Clean Water" community cleanups are coming up on Sep. 20-21!
This year we are hosting community cleanups in Baltimore and Cambridge, MD! We can use more volunteers and would love to see you!
We'll clean up trash, discuss trash policies, and document common litter items like beverage containers and plastic bags. We use your data throughout the year to develop and advocate for effective anti-litter solutions like plastic bag bans and deposit return systems for beverage containers ("bottle bills")!
3 Baltimore Locations - September 20, 2025
When: Saturday, September 20, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: 3 Baltimore Locations (East Baltimore, South Baltimore, and Union Craft)
How: Register here.>>
Cambridge - September 21, 2025
When: Sunday, September 21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Cambridge Creek, Cambridge, MD
How: Register here.>>
Maryland EPR for Packaging Advisory Council and Packaging Regulations
This month we led our Advocacy Coalition in a strategy discussion on how to ramp up reuse and refill in Maryland.
There is a key opportunity to support reuse now while Maryland's Department of the Environment is developing regulations to implement SB901, Maryland's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging program.
Working with our coalition and through our seat on Maryland's Packaging Advisory Council, we are advocating for Maryland's new program to include incentives for reuse and refill options to replace single-use packaging. There will be opportunities for public comment on draft rules and program plans. We will share those so you can weigh in on the importance of robust packaging waste reduction targets for Maryland.
We are also learning from the other six states beginning to implement packaging EPR and we're adding to our own resources to help the public and our elected leaders understand opportunities to strengthen Maryland's program. Stay tuned!
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement 2025- Draft
We submitted comments on the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. We called for more action to monitor and reduce microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay, starting by leveraging existing monitoring networks and partnerships.
Understanding the health and environmental impacts of microplastics, as well as how, where, and what types of plastics are entering the bay, is critical to developing effective plastic reduction policies. We'll continue to monitor and support updates to the Chesapeake Bay Agreement that include taking meaningful action on microplastics.
Thank you for standing with us for a Trash Free Maryland! Support our work with a donation today, or contact us to discuss more ways to give.
