The Wharf Water Cleanup

Join The Wharf community for our annual clean-up of the District's waterways on Monday, October 11, 2021.

We'll get kayaks from the Wharf Boathouse on Recreation Pier, collect trash from the waterways, then get together on Transit Pier for an after-work party.

Participants will be provided kayaks, paddles, life preservers, rubber gloves, and trash bags for collecting floating trash.

All proceeds from this event will go to local waterway preservation organizations.

This event is supported by Pacifico Preserves, Pacifico's philanthropic organization committed to protecting the outdoors and advocating for better access to adventure for all.

All participants in the Wharf Water Cleanup will receive a Pacifico t-shirt and swag bag. And whoever collects the most trash wins a limited edition Pacifico cooler!

Event Schedule

11:30am - Check-in begins at The Wharf Boathouse on Recreation Pier

12:00pm - Kayak Kickoff- Start paddling and collecting trash!

2:00pm - Last call to bring trash back to Recreation Pier

2:00pm - 4:00pm - Paddle Party on Transit Pier with Cantina Bambina

Paddle Party

Following the trash collection, all participants in The Wharf Water Cleanup are invited to Transit Pier at The Wharf for the Paddle Party from 2-4pm. We'll have music, snacks, and a complimentary Pacifico beer for every participant.

Details

• Registration is required and costs $10 per person. All proceeds go to local waterway preservation organizations.
• This event will take place rain or shine, except in extreme weather in which kayaks are prohibited from launching.
• Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
• In the unlikely event of a cancellation, all proceeds will still be donated.
• This event is open to all ages. Kayakers aged 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the same boat. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.
• Participants are required to sign a waiver upon arrival and follow all safety requirements for kayaking.

Register Now for the Wharf Water Cleanup

About The Wharf Water Cleanup

Every year, The Wharf's amazing restaurants, shops, music venues, and special events bring millions of visitors directly to DC's waterways, so we take our environmental stewardship and water cleanliness very seriously. We created floating wetlands to collect water pollutants, we gather all our trash in sealed containers, and we even constructed giant cisterns to capture runoff before it reaches the river. However, our most visible impact on the waterways comes each year during our Washington Channel Water Cleanup.

When it rains, wood debris and trash are washed from shores throughout the region into the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. The floating trash and debris are then pushed into the Washington Channel by the tide and wind, where they gather along the shore. All this debris harms the environment and aquatic life, damages piers and boat propellers, and is unsightly for everyone who lives, works, and recreates on the water.

Our community's annual cleanup efforts regularly remove multiple dumpsters full of wood, trash, and debris from the Washington Channel.