Malden River Trash Trap

 
 

Maintenance of the Malden River Trash Trap

GGRC has brought rowing to the underserved communities on the Mystic River Watershed. This is something we are very proud. We are also committed to working for a clean Watershed. Each season we recruit volunteers for river clean ups, pull shopping carts from the rivers, and manage the maintenance of the Trash Trap on the Malden River.

We have also pulled out shopping carts from both the Mystic and Malden Rivers. Some have been in there for years while others were just tossed in.

What is the Trash Trap?

The Trash Trap sits on the north end of the Malden River and is positioned below the major storm culverts. (Behind 188-200 Commercial Street) The Trash Trap collects the trash that comes from the storm culverts and prevents it from heading down river. After most rain events, trash is washed from the streets, into the storm drains, and end up in our rivers. The Friends of the Malden River received a grant to purchase the Trash Trap to aid in the efforts of collecting and removing this waste.

What does GGRC do to empty the Trash Trap?

After the rain events that fill the trap, our staff utilizes one oour Stillwater Coaching Launches to transport the collected trash from the trap to the shore to be picked up by the Malden DPW.

What has been collected from the Trash Trap?

In 2025, forty-six trash bags of waste was removed from the Trash Trap. In those bags were items ranging from plastic bottles, to toys, to cigarette butts. Below is a brief summary of what was collected:

  • Over 150 Single Use Plastic Bottles - water, soda, etc

  • Over 140 Pieces of Plastic less than 6 inches in diameter - ranging from small plastic tabs, to plastic bags.

  • Cigarette Butts - Too many to count. (If you smoke, do you throw your butt on the ground?)

  • Over 90 Pieces of Styrofoam less than 6 inches in diameter - packing peanuts, pieces of foam coolers, etc.

  • Over 150 Single Use Plastic Bottle Caps - water, soda, etc

  • Various toys - balls, foam darts, stuffed animals, etc

  • Clothing

  • Rubber Gloves and Medial Masks

  • Vape Cartridges

  • Holiday Decorations - our favorite was a plastic skull.

  • Candy Wrappers, Empty Bags of Chips

  • Full Dog Waste Bags

  • An Old Canoe

How can you help?

We will be looking for volunteers to help with trash trap maintenance and various cleanups. Email membership@gentlegiantrowing.org for more details!