Trash should go in trashcans. It should go in dumpsters. But it should never go in the river.

It’s a common storyline: residents spend the day on the river and when they’re ready to go home, they pack up their belongings. The unfortunate truth, however, is that sometimes trash gets left behind. It may not be on purpose, but it still happens.

In April, environmental advocacy group Sound Rivers held its annual river cleanup at Havens Gardens in Washington. Residents took to the river to remove trash from its waters.

One doesn’t have to wait for a scheduled river cleanup to make a difference in the environment, though.

Little Washington Sailing School and Beaufort County Police Activities League set sail on the Pamlico River last Friday afternoon as part of their final day of sailing camp. The campers decided to participate in an impromptu river cleanup. They sailed along the river and picked up trash, most of which was left over from Fourth of July festivities. Campers found anything from napkins and food wrappers to patriotic decorations that made their way to the river.

Those young campers had the right idea.

If everyone followed the campers’ example and picked up trash found on the ground or in the river, instead of ignoring it, it would make a significant difference. If everyone made sure to simply dispose of trash correctly, it would lessen the amount of waste ending up in the river.

The Pamlico is one of the county’s greatest assets — bringing both beauty and environmental benefits — but these assets are wasted when trash ends up in the river.

Residents should work together to keep the river clean of unwanted materials.