April is Litter Awareness Month in Prince William County, which means that it’s officially time for spring cleaning to begin. There are several events planned throughout the month to help bring attention to the “dirty” topic of litter, which does not get much attention throughout the year.
“Litter looks bad,” said Prince William County Solid Waste Division Chief Thomas Smith. “If you’re jogging, riding a bike or walking, and you see litter, it just gives you a bad feeling. It gets into our lakes and our streams; and it affects animals and fish in our habitats. It’s just bad, not only for our community, but for our environment, as well.”
Several community clean-up events are planned across the county in April; including several dumpster days, road and river clean-ups, park spruce-ups, and contests.
Sponsored by Keep Prince William Beautiful and supported by the county, the events are designed to raise awareness about litter while at the same time helping people in the county get their neighborhoods and public areas squared away after a long winter.
“Every weekend in April, there are clean ups going on throughout our community. In addition, our Police Department will be taking special efforts to enforce litter laws. For example, it is a requirement that you cover your load on your vehicle or truck,” Smith said. “When you’re traveling, don’t throw litter out of your window. When they see that happening, they’re going to be stopping citizens and issuing citations.”
On April 5, people who are interested can participate in the 26th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, the Yorkshire Dumpster Day or the Bristoe Station Battlefield Annual Park Cleanup. On April 12, there will be an Occoquan River Cleanup Day, a Town of Quantico Dumpster Day and the Rippon Lodge Cleanup Day. The Thousand Oaks Townhome Association Dumpster Day will be on April 19. CSX Railroad will host a U.S. 1 Cleanup Day on April 26. Activities during all of the clean-up events will run between 9 a.m. and noon. The Balls Ford Compost Facility will host a Compost Awareness Day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 26.
Visit the Keep Prince William Beautiful website (www.kpwb.org/litter-awareness-month-campaign) or call 571-285-3772 for more information about how to participate in these activities.
Smith said he hopes people from across the county will participate in the cleanup events. “We want citizens to be aware, as well as get involved. We’d like you to get involved in your local community,” Smith said.
And he wants people to remember that you can help keep our community clean all year round. “Our hope is that they’ll remember throughout the year that litter is bad and is not good for our environment or our communities.”
-Submitted by Prince William County
Recent Stories
In the final stretch before the June 18 primary, Potomac Local News analyzed campaign finance records and asked each Democratic candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor: Why did you accept or reject money from the gaming industry? And where do you stand on the proposed casino in Tysons Corner?
Carmello’s in Manassas delivers romance with every bite — enjoy fine Portuguese-Italian cuisine, cozy ambiance, and a menu crafted for unforgettable evenings.
Downtown Fredericksburg stands at a financial and commercial turning point. While city leaders report modest gains in key revenue streams like meals and sales taxes, local businesses are facing mounting pressure from rising commercial rents, fewer customers, and growing uncertainty.
U.S. Senator Mark Warner will visit the City of Manassas today, Thursday, June 12, 2025, to tour and discuss developments at RapidFlight, a local unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer that’s gaining national attention for its innovative drone production capabilities.
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Alt-rock legends Gin Blossoms are performing a FREE live show TONIGHT, Wednesday, June 11th at The Bullpen – and D.C., you’re invited.
Power to the Patients will be hosting Gin Blossoms for Special Performance at Congressional Baseball Game Pre-Party.
This unforgettable night under the summer sky features the band behind ‘90s classics like “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” and “Follow You Down.” Expect a packed crowd, cold drinks, and killer energy.
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
