Pack It Out 2026
Utah's Annual Watershed Cleanup
What Is Pack It Out?
Each year, nonprofits and agencies across Utah join forces to host cleanup events — removing trash from public lands and restoring the health of our waterways. The final and most important partner in this effort is YOU! By helping collect garbage, you directly improve water quality and enhance life for all who call Utah home — wildlife and people alike. Your participation is also a vital part of the Utah Division of Water Quality’s Nonpoint Source Program, which relies on active citizen involvement to secure funding for water quality improvement projects statewide. Together, we can keep Utah’s lands and waters clean, healthy, and thriving.
How to Get Involved – Two Ways to Participate
1. Hosted Cleanup Events
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Find an event near you (see the list below).
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Come prepared! Wear sturdy shoes, bring work gloves if you have them, and dress for the weather.
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Join fellow stewards in removing trash from trails and waterways while enjoying great company and a shared purpose.
2. Informal Cleanups
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Choose your own spot: clean up with friends, family, or on your own in your neighborhood, around storm drains, in parks, along trails, or near waterways. (Always exercise caution.)
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Weigh your trash to track your impact.
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Dispose of it properly.
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Report your results using our submission form or by emailing waterquality@usu.edu.
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Feel great knowing your efforts create positive ripples across Utah!
Bonus Opportunity
Join a hosted event and do your own cleanup anytime during the month for an even bigger impact!
September Second Saturday Trail Cleanup Saratoga Springs 9/11 Day of Service Cleanup
Date: September 24th at 5pm
Location: Lions Club Parking by the River Bridge
Event Host: Utah State University Extension, Grand County
Coordinate with Cory Farnsworth 435-797-1485 cory.farnsworth@usu.edu to receive trash bags and pick up trash along your favorite water way in or near Grand County. Please report pounds of trash, number of volunteers, and estimated number of hours you spent cleaning up your waterway!
Date: Saturday, September 12th from 10am to 12pm
Location: 7800 S Trailhead, Midvale
Event Host: Jordan River Commission
Registration link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jge4tq7/lp/21406655-ae4d-4201-9a5d-4092bfffb4fe
Habitat Helpers River Clean-Up
Date: Friday, September 18th from 6pm to 8pm
Location: Meet at Nature Center at Pia Okwai and move to Jordan river for clean up
Event Host: Tracy Aviary | Nature Center at Pia Okwai
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRv_8H83Rw_rfvVt9Sa_4PaG_GEFSk-v3-qYH_FHx7cTrjkw/viewform?usp=header
International Coastal Cleanup at Great Salt Lake
Event Host: FRIENDS of the Great Salt Lake
Event Host: Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, Utah State University
Location: Check in at FishWest Fly Shop
Event Host: Fish for Garbage
Date: September 10th from 6pm to 8pm
Location: Inlet Park, Saratoga Springs
Event Host: Jordan River Commission
Collecting Trash and Data
Yes—data! Don’t worry, it’s quick and simple.
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Weigh or estimate your trash collection.
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Use a bathroom scale: weigh yourself holding the trash bags, then subtract your body weight.
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Use a luggage scale to weigh tied bags. For cleanups with 15 or more people, email waterquality@usu.edu—with some notice, we can provide a luggage scale for your event. (Estimates with a brief description are ok if you can't weigh your haul.)
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Submit your results.
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Report the total weight of trash removed & volunteer hours using the statewide tally form!
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Thank you! Your participation demonstrates the value of clean waterways to funders and state agencies—ensuring ongoing support for water quality projects across Utah. Each pound and hour strengthens the case for cleaner, healthier waterways.
Trash Disposal
Proper disposal ensures your hard work has a lasting, positive impact on Utah’s lands and waterways.
Two Ways to Dispose of Trash:
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At Home - Place trash in your household garbage can (sorting & recycling when appropriate).
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At a Local Disposal Facility - Locate a nearby garbage or waste disposal site & call ahead to confirm they accept the type/amount of trash you plan to bring.
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Safety Considerations
Your safety comes first—please keep these tips in mind:
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Dress for the outdoors by wearing sunscreen, layers, and sturdy shoes. Please bring water and hand sanitizer.
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Protect your hands with gloves and by using grabbers/shovels for picking up debris. (Some partner events will have supplies—see host descriptions.)
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Wash thoroughly after the event.
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Avoid dangerous items such as broken glass, rusty metal, needles, medications, or anything potentially hazardous.
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Stay aware when working near roads or waterways. Watch for poisonous plants, fishing line/hooks, animal holes, barbed wire, and tripping hazards.
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Respect wildlife and property. Do not disturb plants, animals, or throw away belongings—including items that belong to unhoused individuals.
Share Your Results & Inspire Others
Help showcase our collective impact and encourage others to join!
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Take photos or videos during your cleanup. Share them with us using the submission form,
or by emailing them (with permission to share) to waterquality@usu.edu. -
Post on social media using #PackItOutUtah and #PackItOutUtah2025 so we can track statewide activity.
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Tag us: @usuwaterqualityextension (Facebook) and @utahwaterwatch (Instagram).
Fun post ideas:
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Before-and-after photos of your cleanup site.
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A selfie or action shot during the event.
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A short video explaining why clean waters matter to you. (Tag us in IG Reels or share on TikTok!)
Sincere Thanks to the Pack It Out Partners!
This event is made possible by the incredible support of partner organizations across Utah. If your group would like to join us in protecting our lands and waterways, we’d love to hear from you—let’s make a difference together!
