Vermont Green Up Day is Saturday, May 4
April 21, 2024 | By Lisa ScagliottiAlways the first Saturday in May, Vermont Green Up Day falls on Saturday, May 4, this year and the winning student art poster for the occasion includes a little alien in a nod to the “Star Wars” pop culture date reference.
This year’s Green Up Vermont poster’s winning student art design is by Adelyn Ophardt at Essex Middle School. Poster image courtesy of Green Up Vermont
The winning art announcing the annual statewide cleanup was created by Adelyn Ophardt at Essex Middle School. The annual contests to involve youngsters to learn about and promote the effort to rid Vermont roadsides of litter has grown to involve multiple contests. Winning entries in the art, writing, video and even jingle contests can be found on the website for the statewide nonprofit Green Up Vermont organization.
This year’s cleanup push includes two ambitious goals: cleaning up Vermont “Top to Bottom” along Vermont Route 100 and an attempt to count those volunteering to set a record for the famous Guinness Book of World Records.
“From the Canada to the Massachusetts borders, we are promoting a Green Up along Route 100 – Vermont’s longest top-to-bottom route and one of our most traveled scenic byways,” explained state Green Up Coordinator Kate Alberghini. “Why? To build more awareness with businesses and participants, and just to make picking up trash more fun, exciting and part of a bigger challenge.”
Green Up Vermont also is looking to get into the record book with “The Most Pledges Received for Trash Clean Up in 24 Hours” which needs a minimum of 5,000 people.
“By attempting this record (and succeeding – together we can make it happen), Green Up Vermont and all who participate will make Vermont a leader in the nation and a fine example of what can be done when volunteers come together,” Alberghini explained in her call for volunteers to the local coordinators.
The stretch of Rt. 100 through Waterbury has already been spoken for on the Waterbury Green Up sign up website. Those looking to Green Up in Waterbury should visit the site to note where they plan to work – the sign-up isn’t required but it helps volunteers spread out and cover the most area. As for counting volunteers, an effort will be made at the drop-offs to account for those who participated.
Below are details for Green Up in both Waterbury and Duxbury. Information for other communities around Vermont is online at GreenUpVermont.org.
Safety reminders for all: Wear bright clothing, gloves and appropriate footwear; choose low-traffic spots if you are out with children; do not pick up drug paraphernalia (report any finds to local coordinators); check for ticks when you are done.
Waterbury
An online signup has all the details for getting bags, dropping off what you collect, and letting others know where you plan to work as well as tips for being safe while Green-ing Up. This information is also posted on the Waterbury town website, WaterburyVt.com, and posters around town have a QR code to scan to land on the sign-up page.
Some key details:
Get bags now at Sunflower Market on Rt. 100 and at the Waterbury municipal offices.
Drop off on May 4 at the town highway garage, 1707 Guptil Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at Rodney's Transfer Station on River Road (near the Ice Center), 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please try to bag returnable bottles and cans separately if possible. The Clyde Whittemore Little League will collect, clean, and redeem them as a fundraiser. Feel free to drop off your household bottles and cans to add to the collection too.
Do not leave bags on roadsides as there is NO pickup service.
Tires found doing Green Up are accepted free of charge at both locations. Anyone wishing to recycle their used tires can drop them off for a fee of $5 per tire at either location.
Visit the online signup at tinyurl.com/WaterburyGreenUp2024
Questions? Contact Waterbury volunteer Green Up coordinator Lisa Scagliotti, lscagliotti@comcast.net or 802-373-5878.
Staff from Ivy Computers green-up along Vermont Route 100 in 2022. File photo by Gordon Miller
Duxbury
The Duxbury Land Trust has organized Green Up efforts since 1997. Duxbury residents typically volunteer to pick up trash along the roadsides and streambanks in their neighborhoods.
Get bags from the mailbox at the front door of the Duxbury Town Office.
Drop off filled bags in the dumpsters at the Town Garage on Saturday, May 4. There is no roadside pickup. Organizers ask the people to please not leave personal trash or tires in the dumpster. There will be a volunteer at the drop-off to assist.
To volunteer in Duxbury or for more information, contact Duxbury coordinator Jessica Engels at 978-846-3430 or jessicaengels58@gmail.com
Waterbury Roundabout editor Lisa Scagliotti is also Waterbury’s volunteer Green Up coordinator.