Green Up Day 2020: 50th anniversary

Kim Findlay
Carrie Spear spent her Memorial Day “day off” putting up a Green Up Day sign. She also spent the holiday hanging geraniums around the East Village. Photo by Chea Waters Evans
Carrie Spear spent her Memorial Day “day off” putting up a Green Up Day sign. She also spent the holiday hanging geraniums around the East Village. Photo by Chea Waters Evans

Did you know that Vermont was the first state to designate a day of the year to clean up litter along the roadsides? And on that day in 1970, 50 years ago (!), participation and results far exceeded expectations: 95 percent of the 2,400 miles of the interstate and state roads and 75 percent of the 8,300 miles of town roads were cleared of garbage. Thanks to Governor Deane C. Davis and Senator George Aiken, we have a wonderful tradition that inspires Vermonters to get out and de-trash this beautiful state.

In our town, Green Up Day has had a robust turnout every year with tons (yes, tons) of litter removed from our roadsides. This year, Green Up Day is Saturday, May 30. We will be at the west parking lot at Charlotte Central School from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To round out the weekend, there is e-waste recycling at the event and a group cleanup of the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge.

Due to the pandemic, the school district requires that we practice safety measures as suggested by the state. Wear masks and keep a safe distance from others while at the event. Please sign up on our website for a route to clean up or email me at [email protected]. You can also get a route at the event on Saturday.

This year we will be giving out green bags for trash and optional clear bags for redeemable and recyclable plastic containers. Bags can be picked up at the event on Saturday. You can carry just a green bag and put everything in there, or you can carry both bags and separate trash from recyclable items. Please do not leave filled bags on the roadside—they must be returned to the event site.

Volunteers are needed. My co-coordinator Ken Spencer and I would love to have helpers at the Quonset Hut. Two-hour—or longer—shifts are available. Our website has all the information you need, and lots more. Visit the Charlotte Green Up Day website or email me with any questions or to sign up to help out.

I don’t know about you, but it warms my heart to see folks out cleaning up our town together. It says so much about how we care for this land and shows how important it is in so many ways to keep trash from piling up. Whether driving, biking or walking around town, isn’t it great to not see that junk? And to share a collective feeling of stewardship? Thank you for helping out on this special day!