Help pull plastics, mattresses, toys (and more) from the Allegheny River in Harrison, Tarentum

Cleanups in Tarentum and Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood will happen this weekend as part of a larger effort to pluck litter from the Allegheny River.

The monthlong series of events hosted by Allegheny CleanWays focuses on removing debris that has piled up along the riverbanks.

Volunteers can ride along on the Rachel Carson pontoon boat and help collect up to 1,000 pounds of trash, according to Hannah Hohman, the group’s water-based program coordinator.

“The number one item that we will find during our cleanups is plastic,” Hohman said.

Volunteers pull so much of it from the water that the group named its barge the Plastic Magnet 1.

The events will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the kayak launch, 127 River Ave., Natrona, and the same time Sunday at the boat ramp at the Tarentum Bridge.

Similar events will follow Wednesday in New Kensington and Sept. 16 in Cheswick. Those are evening events from 5 to 8 p.m.

Hohman said workers recover loads of plastic bottles, barrels, toys and other random junk.

Some of the “weird and wonderful” things collected have included weather balloons, Nerf gun bullets, Crocs shoes, baby doll parts, a safe and mattresses.

“One of our favorite games to play during cleanups is Trash or Treasure because we do find a lot of treasures — in the eye of the beholder,” she said.

The events last three hours, and volunteers are provided safety gear that includes gloves, glasses and tools. Other equipment, such as sunscreen and bug spray, will be available.

In at least three of the communities — Natrona, Tarentum and Cheswick — Friends of the Riverfront is partnering with Allegheny CleanWays to host Neighborhood Litter Walks that promote current and future Three Rivers Heritage and Water Trail development.

A low-intensity walk follows a path where people can collect small litter from streets and parks.

“Our walks are casual and family-friendly,” said Friends’ Greg Manley. “We average about a dozen volunteers at each walk, and we tend to cover between one and two miles of territory.

“At the end of each walk, we like to celebrate our efforts at a pub, cafe or community garden with some drinks and snacks provided by a local host.”

To encourage the ongoing practice of litter collecting, volunteers receive a free cleanup kit, which includes a 5-gallon bucket, litter grabbers, gloves, refillable hand sanitizer and a high-visibility vest.

Volunteers at the cleanups should wear old clothes as they likely will get wet and muddy. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required, and long-sleeved shirts are recommended.

Participants can register at alleghenycleanways.org.