400 pounds of litter collected on Earth Day

Dozens of volunteers reached for their trash pickers on the morning of April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. The enthusiastic environmentalists, who ranged from children to city employees, found litter scattered around Continental Place, Johnson Street, and Hendrick Avenue. Although the area only accounts for a small fraction of the city’s area, volunteers collected over 400 pounds of trash. The event was scheduled to run between 9 a.m. to noon, but finished after 45 minutes since the truck designated to collect the litter was filled to capacity.

The United States produces more than 12 percent of the planet’s trash, though it is home to only 4 percent of the world’s population. Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day, which is nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. 

Aiden Vanomneren said he was excited when he saw the event’s flyer online. He frequently volunteers for any community service opportunities, and likes to help clean the city whenever he can. 

“We cleaned up so much trash that shouldn’t be where it was today,” Vanomneren said. “It’s surprising to see that we picked up so much trash.” 

Environmentalist and former Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, whose efforts inspired the passing of legislation such as the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Education Act, founded the holiday. The first Earth Day succeeded in raising environmental awareness in America, and in July of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was established to regulate and enforce national pollution laws. The date was selected in part because it fell between colleges’ spring break and final exams, and also from the observance of Arbor Day, which began in Nebraska in 1872, a day when people are encouraged to plant trees.

Earth Day is celebrated by more than one billion people in more than 193 countries, and is an annual event where people take time out of their busy schedules to demonstrate their support for protecting the planet and its environment. Observers celebrate the day with rallies, educational programs, and clean-up events.

The city’s cleanup event was dedicated to the late Beautification Commissioner Bill Byrne, who died unexpectedly on June 1, 2021. Byrne was a well-known environmentalist who advocated for litter control around the city. He initiated the city’s Earth Day cleanup in 2017. Ralph Comitino, a civil servant for the Department of Public Works, said his work is heavily inspired by his memory of Byrne and is proud of Byrne’s dedication to the city and environment. 

Myrrah Cukro, the senior housing specialist for the city’s Community Development Department, was one of the dozen volunteers. 

“There’s a lot of debris and it just makes the town look so dirty,” Cukro said. “Us getting together and cleaning up is just a great feeling and makes us proud of our town looking clean.