Norwest CHC CEO Juanita Lawson participating in Spring Up to Clean Up - (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
An annual event that helps keep Thunder Bay clean is back.
EcoSuperior and the city of Thunder Bay have launched the 29th annual Spring Up to Clean Up campaign.
For the entire month of May, community members can register 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.
Participants will receive a free cleanup kit, including gloves and trash bags.
EcoSuperior also has other supplies like pocket ashtrays, litter pickers, and sharps containers, while supplies last.
“Every piece of litter we collect is a step towards building a cleaner, healthier and more vibrant Thunder Bay,” said Thunder Bay’s Coordinator of Waste Diversion, 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.”
Once winter comes to an end, the melting snow reveals litter that was left behind over the winter.
This litter will enter local waterways and eventually Lake Superior, where it presents a danger to wildlife and ecosystem health.
According to EcoSuperior, litter left in the environment degrades, releasing harmful toxins and microplastics into the soil and water systems.
“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 with EcoSuperior, Kennedy Bucci. “We hope that Spring Up to Clean Up will continue to bring awareness to the issue of litter in our city and improve our shared environment.”
After a successful introduction last year, data cards will once again be a part of the initiative.
Participants are encouraged to fill out data collection cards to provide information on the type and amount of litter they collect.
The information collected during Spring Up will provide valuable insight into how much litter is diverted over the month.
More information and sign-ups can be found by clicking here.
