• Causes pollution (from the breakdown of plastic, cigarette butts, batteries, motor oil, paint, and other toxic trash)
  • Decreases oxygen levels as it decays in the creek
  • Destroys aquatic habitat Harms animals living in water
  • Decreases property values
  • Attracts other types of crime
  • Makes the City look ugly
  • Cost taxpayers money to clean up

Wind and rainwater wash pollutants downhill to the lowest point in the area - the creek or the lake. Trash is the largest and most visible pollutant in urban creeks.