Vermont’s 50th Green Up set for Saturday, May 30
May 22, 2020 | By Lisa Scagliotti
In Waterbury, volunteers are asked to drop off their filled bags at one of two locations: the Town Garage on Guptil Road or Rodney’s Fast Trash near the Ice Center. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti.
On April 18, 1970, Vermont Gov. Deane Davis took the unusual step to close Vermont’s interstate highways from 9 a.m. to noon as volunteers fanned out to pick up roadside trash and Green Up Day was born.
Fifty years later, the annual event usually held the first Saturday in May is the largest volunteer effort in the state with an estimated 22,500 people participating in cleaning up their neighborhoods, parks and roadsides.
This year, Green Up was postponed to Saturday, May 30, due to the coronavirus outbreak and Gov. Phil Scott’s Stay Home order. With restrictions easing and social distancing cautions still in place, organizers are hopeful that people will get out and collect tons of trash before they turn their attention to summer activities.
Below are details for how to participate in Green Up activities in Waterbury.
Green Up Waterbury
Bags will be available outside the entry at the municipal offices and at Sunflower Market on Rt. 100.
Two drop-off locations will be open May 30: the Town Garage on Guptil Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Rodney’s Fast Trash near the Ice Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Do not leave bags along roadsides as there is no pickup service.
Green-ing up is as easy as finding a spot to clean up and getting it done. There is an online signup to help coordinate efforts at https://tinyurl.com/WaterburyGreenUp2020. The signup is just a guide. If the spot you choose is already cleaned when you arrive, just find another spot!
Green Up will have limited volunteers at the drop-off sites who can help unload vehicles while maintaining social distance.
Metal: Fast Trash will accept metal for free; appliances with refrigerants inside for a $10 fee (air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, etc.); no propane tanks.
Tires: Tires found during Green Up are accepted for free at both locations. Anyone with used car and pickup truck tires to recycle can do so at Fast Trash for just $4 each; rims OK.
Redeemable bottles and cans: If possible, bag returnable 5- and 15-cent bottles and cans separately from trash. A community group will redeem them. Drop off at the Town Garage site. (Household returnables will be accepted as well.)
Do not drop off household waste, hazardous waste, electronics or propane tanks.
Green Up tips
Given public health guidelines, please be mindful of social distancing if you go out to Green Up in groups of 10 or fewer. Family groups are best. Facial coverings are recommended if you’re out with people other than immediate family or household members.
Wear gloves. Long pants help to avoid ticks near tall grass or brush. Be sure to check for ticks when you are done.
Pick a location away from traffic if you have young children along. Neighborhoods, side streets, parks, trails are safe choices with kids.
Watch out for trash that looks unusual, dangerous. Needles are a hazard and should be disposed of in trash (not recycling) in a sealed container. Report any sites that appear to have hazardous items.
You may Green Up before May 30. Know that collections will only happen on May 30. If you Green Up early, either dispose of your bags with your own trash or hold onto them to drop off on Green Up Day.
More information is online at greenupvermont.org.
Lisa Scagliotti is the Green Up coordinator for Waterbury.