This Mother’s Day weekend, let’s honour and give back to all mothers. We mean not just human moms but also Mother Earth, who cares for all. We invite you to organize a neighbourhood litter cleanup to honour and celebrate the nurturing spirit of motherhood and give back to the planet that sustains us.
How to participate
- Gather family, friends, and neighbors to join you in a cleanup in the Sault/Algoma on Saturday, May 10 (or another day that week if the 10th doesn’t work for you). Ask your crew to wear a green shirt in keeping with the green theme.
- Choose a park, street, or nature trail in need of some care.
- Email us at info@cleannorth.org to let us know when and where you plan to do your cleanup. We will host a 30-minute Zoom session on litter cleanup equipment, tips and safety, to be held Wednesday, April 30 at 7 pm. If you can’t make this session, then prepare by reviewing best practices for effective and safe litter cleanups at cleannorth.org/2020/05/14/picking-up-litter-a-great-pandemic-activity-but-do-it-safely/.
- Spend an hour working together to clean up and restore the beauty of our community.
- Email us a photo of and/or story about your event at info@cleannorth.org by May 18. All who send us a photo will be entered into a draw for awesome prizes!
Questions?
Email us at info@cleannorth.org.
So why clean up litter?
Environmental benefits
- Reduces pollution – Prevents harmful chemicals and plastics from contaminating soil, water, and air.
- Protects wildlife – Prevents animals from ingesting or becoming entangled in litter, which can be fatal.
- Prevents waterway contamination – Stops litter from entering rivers, lakes, and oceans, reducing water pollution and protecting aquatic life.
- Preserves natural beauty – Keeps parks, beaches, forests, and urban areas clean and enjoyable for everyone.
- Supports ecosystem health – Reduces the impact of litter on plant life and helps maintain balanced ecosystems.
- Encourages sustainable practices – Promotes recycling and responsible waste disposal, reducing overall generation of waste and greenhouse gas emissions
Health benefits
- Reduces disease spread – Reduces the risk of attracting pests like rats and mosquitoes that spread disease.
- Improves air quality – Reduces the presence of decaying waste that can release harmful gases and odors.
- Prevents water contamination – Protects drinking water sources from pollutants leaching from litter.
- Encourages physical activity – Promotes walking and bending, contributing to better health and fitness.
- Reduces stress – Improves mental well-being and reduces anxiety through a cleaner community.
Safety benefits
- Prevents injuries – Removes hazardous items like broken glass, sharp metal, and needles from public areas.
- Reduces fire hazards – Prevents fires caused by discarded cigarettes and flammable materials.
- Enhances road safety – Prevents accidents caused by debris on roads that can obstruct drivers and cyclists.
- Improves community pride and security – Discourages crime and vandalism by fostering a sense of community care.
- Encourages responsible behaviour – Sets a positive example and discourages future littering.
