It’s one of the dirtiest springs in Charlottetown that resident Beth Cullen can remember.
Whether it’s from crows getting into waste bins, wind picking up and dispersing items throughout the city or a result of littering, the complete melting of snow has revealed a filthy landscape in some areas of Charlottetown this spring.
It’s been evident to those who are often out and about, like Cullen.
“I walk in the city a lot and this year and I find the city is dirtier than ever. I’ve been very disappointed,” said Cullen, who was one of more than 30 individuals doing their part to clean up the downtown on Sunday as part of an Earth Day initiative hosted by non-profit group Fusion Charlottetown.
Cullen said she felt it was important to support the event.
“I really appreciate that Fusion (Charlottetown) organized this for Earth Day… it’s just a good, healthy thing for the city,” said Cullen.
Earth Day began in 1970 and is now celebrated in more than 193 countries worldwide every April 22. Events range from marches and rallies, to tree plantings and spring cleanups.
With this year’s focus being on finding an end to plastic pollution, the Charlottetown cleanup saw a crowd meet on Victoria Row and split into three groups. Groups then spread themselves out towards Joe Ghiz Memorial Park, Confederation Landing and Victoria Park.
While there appeared to be few large pieces of garbage, grassy areas especially seemed to have plenty of small discarded items, from flattened coffee cups and discarded bottle caps to old candy bar wrappers and chip bags.
“It all adds up,” said Cullen’s daughter Clare.
The two were picking up items together while heading towards Joe Ghiz Memorial Park.
“If we can fill these two bags, we can feel like we’ve contributed something,” said Cullen.
The spring cleanup also seemed to be fun for kids.
“I think I see a jackpot of garbage,” an excited youngster Cole Ward told his sister Isabel after finding a particularly messy area near Murphy’s Community Centre.
Vanessa Smith, former chair of Fusion Charlottetown and the event organizer, said the group wanted to host a cleanup before the summer hit.
“Now that the snow is all melted, it kind of reveals all the garbage that’s around the city,” said Smith. “We thought (having the cleanup on Earth Day) would be a perfect combination, get people motivated to do something good for our planet on a beautiful April day while also helping our city and connecting individuals.”
Smith said the event was also supported by the City of Charlottetown, which donated garbage bags and gloves. The city also collected the bags of garbage the group had collected.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement saying Canada was joining the international community to celebrate Earth Day, which he described as a chance to enjoy nature leaving a cleaner, healthier earth for future generations.
“I encourage all Canadians to take time today to do their part for the environment. Together and only together, can we protect the clean air and water we share, and pass a planet on to our kids and grandkids that is better than how we found it,” read Trudeau’s statement.
