Despite rainy conditions, a record number of volunteers turned out Saturday to participate in Hillsborough and Northern Orange County's NC Big Sweep.

Ninety volunteers cleaned up five areas around Hillsborough and Northern Orange County, collecting an estimated 2,470 pounds of trash.

"While we didn't eclipse last year's record in total weight, we did set a local record for number of volunteers," said Terry Hackett, stormwater resource officer with Orange County Erosion Control and coordinator of the local Big Sweep event. "Having 90 volunteers on a rainy, cool Saturday morning is outstanding."

Volunteers cleaned up about 4 miles of parkland along the Eno River and its tributaries, collecting about 89 bags of litter as well as other trash and debris that could not be bagged. Within Hillsborough, they picked up litter in and around Gold Park, King's Highway Park and River Park. They also cleaned up Cedar Grove Park in the county and C.W. Stanford Middle School's eco-classroom.

Most of the items collected included cans and bottles as well as various scrap metal. About 475 pounds of the total weight were separated as recyclable. Some unusual finds included two lawnmowers, a clothes dryer, two desks, shingles, tile and railroad rails.

"I was thrilled about the focus on C.W. Stanford's eco-classroom," Hackett said. "Getting the trash and debris from this area allows plans for the classroom to move forward, something that will benefit a lot of students."

The school's outdoor classroom will include an amphitheater and trails and will provide a wide range of educational opportunities that align with the middle and high school curricula. Orange High School is located next to Stanford.

"As a local scout leader, I was especially thrilled from the turnout of our local scout units," said Hackett, who coordinates the Town of Hillsborough's stormwater management program.

Local Cub Scout and Boy Scout units accounted for about 65 volunteers. They included Cub Scout packs 438 and 821 and Boy Scout troops 438 and 449. Other volunteers included parents and students from Stanford and A.L. Stanback middle schools and from Montessori Farm School 4H as well as the Hillsborough Public Works and Orange County Solid Waste departments and other local citizens.

"All the volunteers deserve a big pat on the back and appreciation from their neighbors," Hackett said.

NC Big Sweep is an award-winning grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is litter-free watersheds. It started 22 years ago as North Carolina's component of the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup and has grown into a statewide effort to clean up litter and educate the public.

Litter is harmful, especially when allowed to enter local waterways. As it decomposes, it can leach harmful chemicals into surface and ground water. Wildlife often mistake litter for food, which can entangle them, suffocate them or clog their digestive systems. Litter also hurts an area's economy by causing tourists and businesses to avoid visiting and locating in those areas.