Among the trash and debris hauled in by the Chicago River Trash Trap in 2023 was a small plastic toy dinosaur, which Mike McElroy of Wendella Tours & Cruises, who regularly empties the trap, crowned as the trap’s official mascot and named the dinosaur, Trappy. The toy dinosaur is emblematic of the kinds of things – large and small – that make their way into the river system; and Trappy is plastic, which research shows accounts for upwards of 80 percent of the trash found in the river. We have come to embrace Trappy as a fun mascot who will help to inform people of all ages about the importance of crafting good policy for reduction strategies that address the persistent problem of litter and encourage new behaviors. Learn more about our Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative at chicagoriver.org.
