Community members can submit and gather at locations throughout Southern Maryland for an organized trash and recycling cleanup. Volunteer cleanup event locations and dates will be shared on this page. I was noticing large amounts of litter along roadways, parks, parking lots, and yards. The more I saw it, the more perpetually I began to notice litter was always accumulating along my drive home, my drive to work, my drive to pick up my son from daycare, and along the sidewalk where I walked. When I finally got the Clean It Up initiative started, there were definitely some specific items that stuck out to be increasingly common amongst the piles of litter: bottles, cans, plastic bags, fast food litter, lids, straws, and cigarette butts (the most difficult to clean up). When along any waterway or beach: fishing line, hooks, and bait is always a huge offender. Most of these items are single-use products and are only used for maybe 15 minutes tops before they are thrown out. But depending on what the material is, these items last several hundred years before breaking down. This is especially true if they are not disposed of or recycled properly. I’m hoping that volunteers recognize the kinds of litter that they clean up and helps them consider alternatives in their own day to day lives. Litter, if not intercepted, can make it’s way into our waterways and contaminate the water we use for drinking or recreation. When litter degrades, it releases chemicals and microplastics. Litter can also be mistaken by fish, birds, turtles, or other animals for food - and once ingested, it kills them. People think I do this because I like to “hug trees.” That’s not really true; I do it because I want people and animals to be healthy and safe. This initiative has also forced me to spend time thinking about why there is so much litter accumulating. Sometimes it’s because trash cans do not exist where they should, because people think it’s okay since trash is already apparent in those areas. Sure there are laws against littering, but are they really enforced? How many people do you actually know have been fined for littering? And, most people are quick to jump to the excuse of “people are lazy,” but that’s not always entirely true either. Sometimes people throw their trash away appropriately but the litter is not secured in the can, bag, or vehicle during transport. Water or wind can pick up the trash and move it across parking lots and into natural areas. There’s a quote by Environmentalist Robert Swan that says “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” That really resonates with what I’m trying to do here. I think the longer we sit around and wait, or point fingers and believe it’s someone else’s responsibility, the more trouble we are going to be in. I coordinate all of the cleanup locations, dates, times, communication, and bring all of the supplies (which have so graciously been gifted by members of the community - thank you), and all those logistics. If I can take out all the complicated stuff and just ask people to come as they are, I find people are more likely to show up and lend a hand. Community members can submit pictures of places where they would like to see an organized community cleanup. All submissions will be considered, but must be reviewed before setting up a date for cleanup to ensure the proposed site will be feasible and we are equipped. Visit our webpage: https://cleanitupsomd.wordpress.com/
We run on gifts! All gloves, trash pickup, bags, masks, etc are 100% gifted by members of the community. If you would like to donate items, please visit our Amazon wishlist. Anything helps. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TQGWEUTF91QE?ref_=wl_share
