Registration and Waivers
Volunteer Registration
ALL Trash Bash® volunteers should register themselves or their group for the Trash Bash cleanup. Registrations can be made for individuals, families, or groups.
All volunteers need to do is:
1. Choose a site to participate at. Site Information forms are available for review for each site.
2. Click the Register link next to that site. Registration links are specific to each site, so be sure to register for the site you want to attend.
3. Provide contact information for yourself (the person registering should be the main point of contact for the registration).
4. Include the total number of volunteers in your group. The volunteers should be broken down into adults and minors.
5. If participating as part of a group, please include the group or organization name.
All volunteers must also fill out a Waiver Form and submit it with original signature at the site on the day of the event. Waiver Forms will be available at each site, but you can save time by completing the form in advance and bringing the physical copy with you the day of the event. All waivers for minors MUST be signed by a parent or guardian, not just a chaperone, so scout or school groups may need to print waivers and have parents fill out in advance.
ALL Trash Bash® volunteers should register themselves or their group for the Trash Bash cleanup. Registrations can be made for individuals, families, or groups.
All volunteers need to do is:
1. Choose a site to participate at. Site Information forms are available for review for each site.
2. Click the Register link next to that site. Registration links are specific to each site, so be sure to register for the site you want to attend.
3. Provide contact information for yourself (the person registering should be the main point of contact for the registration).
4. Include the total number of volunteers in your group. The volunteers should be broken down into adults and minors.
5. If participating as part of a group, please include the group or organization name.
All volunteers must also fill out a Waiver Form and submit it with original signature at the site on the day of the event. Waiver Forms will be available at each site, but you can save time by completing the form in advance and bringing the physical copy with you the day of the event. All waivers for minors MUST be signed by a parent or guardian, not just a chaperone, so scout or school groups may need to print waivers and have parents fill out in advance.
General Information
Time
Trash Bash® is a half-day event . Most sites begin at 8 a.m. and activities wrap up by 12:00 p.m. but start time, registration and end time vary from location to location. Please check individual cleanup sites for details. Depending on the site, late arrival registration and cleanup may not be possible.
Weather
Trash Bash® will be held rain or shine. Due to the widespread locations of each site, one site may be experiencing weather problems while another is not. If there is a question pertaining to weather issues, please check the Trash Bash Facebook page for updates or contact the site coordinator for your chosen site.
What NOT to Wear?
Please wear clothing appropriate to the area, work outdoors and the weather where you are working; gloves, boots, hats/caps, long pants, etc. Sturdy, closed toed shoes MUST be worn in all areas. Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. Your clothes will probably get wet or dirty. Bring additional clothing as appropriate. Group leaders should make sure that everyone in their group is wearing appropriate footwear.
Valuables
Trash Bash® or its site coordinators are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Make sure your belongings and valuables are secure or simply leave them at home.
Comfort Guidelines
Guidelines for staying comfortable can be found below:
Trash Bash® is a half-day event . Most sites begin at 8 a.m. and activities wrap up by 12:00 p.m. but start time, registration and end time vary from location to location. Please check individual cleanup sites for details. Depending on the site, late arrival registration and cleanup may not be possible.
Weather
Trash Bash® will be held rain or shine. Due to the widespread locations of each site, one site may be experiencing weather problems while another is not. If there is a question pertaining to weather issues, please check the Trash Bash Facebook page for updates or contact the site coordinator for your chosen site.
What NOT to Wear?
Please wear clothing appropriate to the area, work outdoors and the weather where you are working; gloves, boots, hats/caps, long pants, etc. Sturdy, closed toed shoes MUST be worn in all areas. Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. Your clothes will probably get wet or dirty. Bring additional clothing as appropriate. Group leaders should make sure that everyone in their group is wearing appropriate footwear.
Valuables
Trash Bash® or its site coordinators are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Make sure your belongings and valuables are secure or simply leave them at home.
Comfort Guidelines
Guidelines for staying comfortable can be found below:
- Make sure to bring an insect repellent and sunscreen or other appropriate cosmetics necessary for your safety and health. Sunscreens and insect repellents will not be supplied by the cleanup sites.
- Hats, caps and sunglasses should be worn as appropriate.
General Safety
Below are general Safety Guidelines for the event. Local site coordinators and leaders may establish additional guidelines for their particular site, as each site has unique opportunities that may not be covered by general guidelines. Site coordinators are responsible for their site and shall have the final say on all issues at their site. Site coordinators reserve the right to dismiss any volunteer or person at their location whom they deem to be working or participating inappropriately, or putting themselves or others in danger.
Please watch our safety video before you show up to clean it like you mean it: Safety Video (YouTube).
Individual cleanup sites may have additional rules or guidelines pertaining to their site, depending on the atmosphere or setting of the cleanup area. Please follow the rules below, as well as any additional rules given at your chosen site.
Do not collect the following hazardous debris:
Take note of the location of these items and report it to your team leader or coordinator. Appropriate personnel shall collect these items.
ADA Compliance
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Trash Bash® will provide for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities attending this event. Individuals requiring language interpretation, with specific accessibility concerns, or those with special communication needs should contact the event coordinator by email or at 713-993-2469 at least 1 week prior to the event.
Please watch our safety video before you show up to clean it like you mean it: Safety Video (YouTube).
Individual cleanup sites may have additional rules or guidelines pertaining to their site, depending on the atmosphere or setting of the cleanup area. Please follow the rules below, as well as any additional rules given at your chosen site.
- All persons volunteering must fill out the required Registration Waiver Form (English) or (Spanish). Parents and youth leaders shall be responsible for closely monitoring youth volunteers in their group or organization, and are responsible for making them aware of the rules and following them.
- Most cleanup sites are in areas where wildlife exists. Please be watchful of areas where snakes, alligators, or harmful insects may be or alert those in your party to the presence of any of these creatures. Also be watchful for harmful plants such a poison ivy or poison oak, thorns, vines etc. Please wear gloves to avoid contact. Refrain from contact with any wildlife or feral domestic animals.
- Alert your site coordinator to any animals or situations hampering the ability to clean up your site.
- Work gloves and trash bags are provided to volunteers.
- Safety vests and trash pickers are provided in limited numbers to each group.
- Sturdy, closed toed shoes shall be worn in all areas. Long pants and long-sleeve shirts are advisable.
- Life jackets are required for all passengers on any boat, canoe, kayak, or raft etc.
- Do not work alone. Use the buddy system of two or three persons.
- Do not enter, wade or swim in any body of water to retrieve debris unless approved by site coordinator or team leader.
- Only collect trash where you are capable. Many areas have slopes, loose gravel or soil. Ensure proper footing before proceeding.
- Do not climb up or down trees, rocks or steep banks to retrieve debris. Collection along sloping bayou, lakes or waterway banks should only be done when deemed safe by team leaders or coordinators. Do not disturb bare soil or contribute to erosion areas.
- Do not reach or crawl into crevices, brush, under rocks or structures to retrieve debris. Use a tool when necessary.
Do not collect the following hazardous debris:
- Heavy items requiring more than one person to lift;
- Partially buried items;
- Broken glass;
- Closed or sealed buckets and plastic or metal drums; or
- Medical waste (hazard bags, needles, etc.) or carrion (dead animal carcass).
- Household Hazardous Waste such as paint, oil, or solvents.
Take note of the location of these items and report it to your team leader or coordinator. Appropriate personnel shall collect these items.
ADA Compliance
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Trash Bash® will provide for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities attending this event. Individuals requiring language interpretation, with specific accessibility concerns, or those with special communication needs should contact the event coordinator by email or at 713-993-2469 at least 1 week prior to the event.
Scouting Information
There are numerous opportunities at Trash Bash® for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to satisfy service requirements and earn recognition. Additionally, there may be opportunities to satisfy some advancement requirements.
Learn more about Cub Scout and Scouting BSA Awards and Advance Requirements that can be met by participation in Trash Bash®.
Learn more about Girl Scout Awards that can be met by participation in Trash Bash®.
Learn more about Cub Scout and Scouting BSA Awards and Advance Requirements that can be met by participation in Trash Bash®.
Learn more about Girl Scout Awards that can be met by participation in Trash Bash®.
Thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors who continue to support
the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash®!
Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025 for the 31st annual Trash Bash®!
the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash®!
Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025 for the 31st annual Trash Bash®!