From tires to lawn tractor, volunteers clear debris from Raritan River in Readington cleanup

READINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Volunteers in Readington Township joined the Raritan Headwaters Association over the weekend to clean up sections of the Raritan River, collecting a wide range of debris from local waterways.

Participants worked at three locations, removing trash that included metal, recyclables, tires and other discarded items found along shorelines.

Township officials said the cleanup effort resulted in a significant amount of waste being collected, highlighting the ongoing need for environmental stewardship.

The event was supported by the Readington Department of Public Works, which helped coordinate safety measures and provided volunteers with equipment such as gloves, bags, grabbers and safety gear through the state-funded Clean Communities program.

Among the more unusual items discovered was an abandoned ride-on lawn tractor, which officials said will be removed by the DPW using heavy equipment.

Organizers thanked volunteers and Raritan Headwaters for sponsoring the cleanup, noting the strong community turnout and continued commitment to protecting local waterways.