How One West Michigan Man Turned River Trash into a Massive Community Tradition

West Michigan has so many amazing ways to enjoy being out on the water.

Get our free mobile app

One of my favorite things is to float down the Muskegon River with my friends.

An unfortunate thing that happens way too often by accident or on purpose is people leaving behind junk such as beer cans, wrappers, and other things that don't belong.

Credit: Canva / Jerry Carlson

15 years ago, after getting fed up with seeing trash everywhere while floating down the Muskegon River, Jerry Carlson decided to take a week off of work and made hundreds of calls to organize a mass cleanup.

Credit: Jerry Carlson via Facebook

Since then, through the Muskegon River Clean-Up Co., Jerry and his team of volunteers have hauled out thousands of cans, tires, flip-flops, and wild items like sewing machines, boat motors, and bowling balls.

Credit: Jerry Carlson via Facebook

He's doing it again, along with hundreds of other people for another river clean-up event this weekend and I've got all of the important details below.

Credit: Canva / Jerry Carlson

August 1, 2026 River Clean-Up

• Where: Bridgeton Boat Launch
• When: Sign-up between 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Raffle at 5:00 PM)

All you need to do is bring a tube, kayak, canoe, or boat and sign a waiver, then you can grab a trash bag, and hit the water!

Credit: Jerry Carlson via Facebook

At the end, you can turn in the bag of trash for a free hot dog or burger.

Plus, every bag of trash you turn in earns a raffle ticket for a chance to win 1 of 15 kayaks.