It’s an opportunity to get some fresh air and do a little community cleanup at the same time.
To celebrate Earth Day (April 22), the towns of Lincoln and Grimsby and the Township of West Lincoln are promoting or organizing community cleanups.
“It’s a good way to pitch in,” said Lori Laird, recreation and events co-ordinator for Lincoln, which has partnered with Earth Day Canada on the initiative.
The first Earth Day was held in the U.S. on April 22, 1970, and Earth Day Canada was founded in 1990.
Laird said the public can pick up free cleanup kits at Fleming Centre, town hall, Fleming and Rittenhouse branches of Lincoln Pelham Public Library, and Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre for the next couple of weeks.
“These kits contain garbage and recycle bags and gloves and some safety instructions,” Laird said. “We encourage people ... to select a location and a time that works for them to go out and do a tidy up of certain areas of the town.”
Laird said the town has several hundred brown paper bag kits available, and about 75 have been given out since April 1.
The Downtown Bench Beamsville business improvement area is partnering with West Niagara Secondary School and Jacob Beam Elementary School for an annual downtown tidy initiative on April 22 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Lincoln Pelham Public Library is holding a variety of Earth Day-related events, including SeedShare. Gardeners can stop by any library branch and borrow as many as five envelopes of seeds to create their own gardens.
Participants are also encouraged to harvest their own seeds at the end of the growing season and bring them to the library.
See lincoln.ca for more information about Earth Day activities in Lincoln.
In West Lincoln, the township’s Green Team is inviting the public to host community cleanups leading up to or on April 22.
The township is providing garbage bags, gloves, safety tips and cleanup locations.
See westlincoln.ca and scroll down to the Earth Day link for more information.
Grimsby is supplying waste bags and gloves to residents who are engaging in community cleanups, whether individually or as part of a group.
Supplies are available at Livingston Activity Centre, on Livingston Avenue, during regular operating hours from April 15 to May 14.
Large cleanup groups are asked to call 905-309-2075 in advance to arrange for their supplies.
Here are some safety tips from West Lincoln’s website.
- Wear gloves (latex, work gloves, or cotton gloves).
- Dress for the weather, including good walking shoes.
- Always provide adult supervision for children.
- Be careful of wild animals, insects, hives and nests, and noxious weeds such as poison ivy and giant hogweed.
- Be mindful of unstable or slippery ground (such as ravines and riverbanks), in tunnels or near stormwater management ponds.
- Do not go near water-filled areas such as ditches, streams or ponds and do not overfill or compact bags.
- Do not pick up sharp objects, hazardous waste, abandoned barrels, chemical containers, unidentifiable containers, budging or dented containers, propane cylinders, gas cans, antifreeze containers, needles and syringes, paint cans, pesticide or herbicide containers, automotive batteries, narcotics, weapons or dead animals.
- Notify town or township staff of the location of hazardous items.
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