Palmerston North has a lot of rubbish in its waterways, says Plastic Pollution Challenge project manager Nelson Harper.
"Over the last year, we have pulled out over 120 bags of litter plus some big items like tyres, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, car parts, and all kinds of stuff."
Nelson helped gather volunteers, schools and businesses to pull rubbish and waste out of city streams.
Otherwise, rain would flush the rubbish into the Manawatū River to Foxton and the sea.
Environmentalist Siobhan Karaitiana is also focused on cleaner waterways ahead of 6500 new houses in the proposed Kākātangiata urban growth area.