Mayor Ken Boshcoff at Spring Up Clean Up Event (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
EcoSuperior and the city of Thunder Bay have kicked off the 28th annual Spring Up to Clean Up event.
“It’s heartening to see how much our community cares about cleaning up our city and putting waste where it belongs,” said Rethinking Waste Coordinator, for EcoSuperior, Kennedy Bucci. “This year we are launching an exciting new component to our program, the data collection cards, which will give us a new understanding of how much litter our volunteers divert from the environment each year.”
The event is running through May and officials say registration for the event will stay open meaning it’s never too late to get involved.
Residents are encouraged to clean up around their neighbourhood or in their favourite greenspace with family, friends, neighbours, or in community groups.
Schools are also welcome to get involved by having students come together and clean their schoolyard and neighbourhood allowing for an educational experience about the harms of litter.
By signing up for a clean-up you will be given a litter cleanup kit with tools to help remove litter.
“Every piece of litter we collect is a step towards building a cleaner, healthier and more vibrant Thunder Bay,” said Coordinator of Waste Diversion, City of Thunder Bay, Lee Amelia. “The City is proud to support Spring Up to Clean Up by providing the necessary tools to collect litter as well as free pick-up service.”
With Spring in full swing and snow off the ground, litter has been revealed across the city.
This litter will eventually make its way into local waterways and Lake Superior.
According to EcoSuperior “If left in the environment, the litter degrades, releasing harmful toxins and microplastics into the soil and water systems.”
The Spring Up to Clean Up initiative focuses on cleaning up existing litter and preventing waste from entering the environment in the first place.
“Diverting waste from entering our natural spaces is something we must all work towards to create a healthy future for people and the planet. We remind the community to properly dispose of items in recycling and trash receptacles and invite everyone to join in on the cleanup!” said Co-Executive Director, EcoSuperior, Erin Moir.
For this year’s clean-up, EcoSuperior has launched a new addition to the campaign, data collection cards.
Participants are encouraged to fill out the cards to provide information on the type and amount of litter they collect.
By returning the card to EcoSuperior either in person or by email, will enter the participant into a draw for a prize.
The information collected during Spring Up will provide valuable insight into how much litter we divert as a community.
Participants can submit photos of their clean-up to enter our community or business contest or return their data collection card to enter the data collection contest.
The program is funded by the City of Thunder Bay Solid Waste and Recycling Services and delivered by EcoSuperior Environmental Programs.
Residents looking to get involved can click here.
Residents participating in Spring Up Clean Up – (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
