Nearly 12,000 pounds of garbage removed during Yarmouth cleanup weekend
Organizers say another successful Scotian Shores cleanup weekend has wrapped up in Yarmouth, with volunteers removing nearly 12,000 pounds of garbage over three days.
The annual Earth Day event included school visits and cleanups on Friday, a large community cleanup on Saturday, and family-friendly shoreline cleanups on Sunday.
Saturday’s main event also used a family-focused approach to attract volunteers. Participants who brought in a bag of garbage could take part in free activities including a barbecue, face painting and bouncy castles.
Angela Riley says turnout was strong throughout the weekend.
“To our belief, it was a raging success. We had hundreds of families come out on Saturday,” Riley said.
She says both Sunday events were also well attended, while schools took part in cleanup and reuse workshops.
12,000 pounds collected
Riley says early totals show almost 12,000 pounds of waste was collected.
“Initial reports say that we cleaned up almost 12,000 pounds of garbage within three days,” she said.
She says that number is similar to previous years, but notes years of cleanup work in Yarmouth have helped reduce some of the larger legacy pollution sites.
Could other towns copy the idea?
Riley says she would like to see other communities launch similar Earth Day cleanup festivals, while keeping the Yarmouth event going.
“I would love to see other communities stand this up for Earth Day,” she said.
She says the Yarmouth event has continued to grow because of strong local support and volunteers committed to cleaner shorelines.
