Plastic Ocean Project planting trees at New Hanover County Landfill Saturday

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Cape Fear non-profit is getting their hands dirty this weekend and asking for your help. 

WWAY spoke with ‘Plastic Ocean Project’ their next project is taking place on Saturday at the New Hanover County Landfill. 

“What better place than at the landfill to start bringing back nature,” Plastic Ocean Project Executive Director, Bonnie Monteleone, said. 

They’ll be planting 80 trees as part of its annual ‘Trees4Trash’ program.  

They started the program in 2019 as part of Hurricane Florence recovery efforts.  

For every 25 lbs. of trash collected, one tree is planted.  

There are already so many trees, more than a thousand, planted at the landfill due to this project that Plastic Ocean Project has given these trees home— a name. It’s called Fran’s Forest.  

“So, why do we call it ‘Fran’s Forest?’ Well actually where these trees are being planted are on an unkempt landfill,” Monteleone said. “In other words, it’s nontoxic debris that was picked up and buried due to Hurricane Fran.”  

Plastic Ocean Project’s Executive Director said the work she and her team do is having positive long-term effects.  

“When I’m long gone, those trees are gonna be out there doing the work that we desperately need and that is taking up CO2 and creating habitat for nature,” Monteleone said. 

Monteleone said if you plan to attend on Saturday at 9 a.m., feel free to bring shovels and rakes to ensure there will be enough to go around.  

“So, you’re really giving to the future and there’s nothing like getting your hands dirty in the soil and watching those trees grow over time. So, it’s a really wonderful statement for our community to get behind and it’s fun,” Monteleone said. 

Oak trees will be planted. Monteleone said these trees can grow up to 100 feet and will provide lots of shade for animals. 

Fran’s Forest now hosts deer, raccoon, fox, squirrels, wild turkeys, and more.