The Mississippi River flows through 31 states. The river provides drinking water to millions of Americans and a mode of transportation not only for commerce but also tons of plastic waste.

Mayor Rita Albrecht of Bemidji, Minn. states that "possibly 40 percent of plastic pollution in the Gulf originates from the Mississippi River." 

Louisiana residents have gone to social media to raise awareness about the plastic waste, taking video of trash floating in the water and telling users, "Don’t Trash Louisiana." Social media users also have called on the U.S. Coast Coard and government officials to clean up the pollution.

While volunteer organizations and annual initiatives are working to clean up the Mississippi River on an annual basis, trash continues to affect the ecosystems and daily lives of those near the body of water.

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