Solid Waste District Mobilizing Volunteers and Local Donations for Clean It Up Day

Solid-Waste-District-Mobilizing-Volunteers-and-Local-Donations-for-Clean-It-Up-DayPitch in to clean up your neighborhood, county road, or any public space of your choice with the La Porte County Solid Waste District – and get everything you need to do it! The District is expanding its annual Clean It Up Day litter cleanup event this year into a Clean It Up program. Instead of just one day, groups will now be able to choose any date in April or May that is most convenient for them or their organization.

“The unsightly presence of litter in a community has an impact on all residents’ quality of life. Cleaning it up is a fun and easy way to celebrate Earth Day and get involved with community service,” said Sacha Gee-Burns, environmental educator and public outreach coordinator for the Solid Waste District. “Last year around 820 people participated in more than 46 cleanups countywide, and we’d like to have even more this year.”

Now in its seventh year, our Clean It Up program is put on with help from several government agencies, as well as generous donations from local businesses and the national non-profit group Keep America Beautiful. More than 2.3 million people volunteer each year for KAB’s Great American Cleanup activities in more than 15,000 communities throughout the U.S., participating in cleanup, beautification and community improvement activities.

To participate, all you need to do is choose a place to clean up and a date for you or a group to do it anytime in April or May. We have list of suggested locations, but there are many others in need of attention. We’ll arrange for the collected trash to be picked up, if needed. The District is accepting signups for this program through May 1.

People and groups who sign up to participate in Clean It Up Day will receive garbage bags to complete their cleanup and bottled water to fuel them through their work. The District will have work gloves and visibility vests available to lend to individuals who need them, as well.

This year we will be holding a Thank You luncheon in June for all volunteers. Gee-Burns said that many groups in the community have already indicated their interest in the cleanup, including political and religious organizations, school clubs, Girl and Boy Scout troops and families across the county.

“Caring for the environment that surrounds us is everyone’s responsibility, and everyone should get involved,” Gee-Burns said.

To sign up or to donate food or materials to this event, contact Sacha Gee-Burns at (219) 326-0014 or email her at sgeeburns@solidwastedistrict.com.

National sponsors of the 2018 Great American Cleanup include Altria, Dow, The Glad Products Company, Lowe's, Niagara Bottling, and McDonald’s.