Volunteer groups including UT Dallas students and the Junior League of Richardson are making the most of cooler weather by participating in trash cleanup events.
Since 2017, dozens of groups and thousands of individuals have signed up to take part in a City program designed to connect residents through the activity of cleaning local areas like neighborhoods, parks, and creek and pond banks. Made possible through the Richardson Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program, it is an extension of the annual Trash Bash held every spring around Earth Day. It helps ensure areas across the city are cleared of trash, making the home we share safer and more attractive.
Through the program, volunteers select a location to clean or receive a recommended site from the City Health Department. The groups are provided 30-gallon trash bags, gloves and trash-picker tongs; they leave filled bags at collection points for solid waste crews to pickup.
Richardson resident Stephanie Clemmons picks up trash regularly with neighbors during walks in the Creek Hollow neighborhood and in Breckinridge Park.
“Being provided with supplies was such a help and encouraged us to tell others in the neighborhood about the cleanup initiative and offer to get supplies for them,” Clemmons said. “Combining Crime Watch Patrol walks and cleanups forms friendships and builds community. We really enjoy our walks, and love engaging with our neighbors and making our local trails, streets and parks safer, cleaner and more enjoyable.”
The cleanup program is available year-round and can provide opportunities for needed volunteer hours related to youth projects or scholarships. Companies also take part to get involved and offer teambuilding for their staff. The projects highlight the importance of working together to make Richardson its best.
“To keep parks and nature areas, drainage channels, railroad right of ways and other places where litter collects clean is very labor intensive,” Janice Tower, Assistant Director of Health, said. “Things like cigarette butts are hard to pick up. The purpose of the program is to get litter picked up before it gets into the creeks or waterways and goes into area lakes like White Rock Lake or Lake Ray Hubbard,” she said.
Litter remediation is necessary. While the City maintains areas as much as possible, help from volunteers makes a difference, especially after rain events when trash can pile in drainage areas, making wastewater clogs and water contamination a problem.
To participate in a Richardson cleanup, contact Janice Tower at janice.tower@cor.gov or 972-744- 4078. For more information, visit www.cor.net/cleanup.
