In late 2021, Prince William County introduced a powerful tool in the fight against waterway pollution: the Bandalong floating litter trap on Neabsco Creek. This innovative device, funded by Micron Technology’s generous $300,000 donation, captures floating debris before it can flow downstream into the Neabsco Creek, Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. This chart shows the amount of trash retrieved from the litter trap in the first half of 2025.
| Litter trap cleanout summary – January through June 2025 | |||||
| Date of cleanout | # bags | # plastic bottles | # balls | Styrofoam (lbs) | Total weight (lbs)* |
| Feb 25, 2025 | 18 | 1260 (110 lbs) | 86 (20 lbs) | 20 | 260 |
| Mar 26, 2025 | 9 | 450 (10 lbs) | 12 (5 lbs) | 20 | 40 |
| Apr 23, 2025 | 22 | 2250 (130 lbs) | 75 (20 lbs) | 50 | 200 |
| May 30, 2025 | 60 | 6000 (400 lbs) | 150 (40 lbs) | 200 | 740 |
| Jun 18, 2025 | 6 | 225 (20 lbs) | 20 | 85 | |
| Totals | 115 | 10,185 | 323 | 310 | 1,325 |
| *Total weight includes additional items: glass bottles, aluminum cans, tires and miscellaneous trash. There was no cleanout in January. | |||||
The amount of trash collected so far in 2025 exceeds the total amount collected in 2024, which was:
- # Plastic bottles – 3925
- # Aluminum cans – 477
- Balls – 207
- Styrofoam (lbs) – 110
- Misc Trash (lbs) – 230
- Total weight (lbs) – 910
The amount of rainfall accounts for the significant difference in the volume of trash collected at the litter trap. 2024 was a dry year with drought conditions in this area. In 2025, rainfall amounts exceed the average and include a number of heavy rainstorms that have swept more trash downstream.
The number of styrofoam pieces intercepted at the litter trap is too numerous to count. We are hopeful that the legislation enacted recently by the state will reduce the amount of it entering the stream. (See the INSIDENOVA article, July 9, 2025)
The monthly cleanouts are conducted by a team consisting of:
- staff from PWC Public Works, Environmental Management Division
- staff from Micron
- volunteers from the Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association
- volunteers from the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition
- the volunteer work is also done under the Adopt-a-Stream program managed by the PW Soil & Water Conservation District
Community Resource: The Boardwalk + Trap Duo
The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, which is downstream from the litter trap, draws approximately 400–600 visitors on a typical weekend—families, walkers, and bird watchers appreciate the natural escape in Woodbridge. This winning combination offers multiple benefits:
- Enhanced recreation—anglers benefit from improved water quality and habitat in Neabsco Creek.
- Cleaner environment—much less litter for visitors to see and wildlife to ingest.
- Educational access—the boardwalk allows families and students to enjoy and learn about creek ecology.
The Neabsco Creek Bandalong, powered by Micron’s sponsorship and community collaboration, is a testament to what public–private partnerships can achieve. It has:
- Removed tens of thousands of litter items,
- Supported local recreation and wildlife,
- Inspired ideas for future installations on Marumsco Creek and beyond.
PWC has issued press releases with more information on the litter trap:
- Prince William County Unveils new Floating Litter Trap on Neabsco Creek (Nov 2021)
- Prince William County Department of Public Works Wins Award for Installing a Bandalong in Neabsco Creek (Feb 2023)
- Bandalong Successful in Trapping Trash Floating in Neabsco Creek (Mar 2023)
- Public Works Awarded Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award (Jun 2024)
