THUNDER BAY -- Residents around Thunder Bay are teaming up to make things cleaner for the next month.
The 22nd annual Spring Up to Clean Up event kicked off on Wednesday with 100 local businesses taking part in a 20-minute clean-up of the Barton Street area.
Volunteers took time away from work, put on fluorescent vests, grabbed their garbage pickers and helped clean up the city.
“Litter can have a terrible effect on the way people feel about their city,” said EcoSuperior program co-ordinator Shannon Costigan. “A clean city makes people proud, and people enjoy using public spaces. It’s really important to put this collective effort together and make Thunder Bay beautiful.”
Costigan is encouraging people in every corner of Thunder Bay to help beautify the city.
“There are events happening all throughout the month of May,” Costigan said. “Every year we see about 10,000 people jump on board.”
And despite it’s long annual tradition, Costigan said she still sees fresh faces every year.
She’s also encouraged by the involvement of surrounding communities, including the Municipality of Shuniah, which is doing its first-ever clean-up this month.
“It’s great to see that energy after a cold winter that everybody gets out and gets to spend some time together,” said Nathan Lawrence, who hosted the day’s event.
Scheduling of subsequent events can be found on the EcoSuperior website.
Residents can also set up their own clean-up by contacting the EcoSuperior team.
