Great Islands Clean Up becomes month-long individual effort

— from Pete Moe for Orcas Island Recycling Services —

In honor of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary this April, Islanders are
encouraged to use the whole month to help clean up roads and beaches during wellness walks. Due to health concerns, the Spring Great Islands Clean-Up has been cancelled as a group activity, and has pivoted to be an individual or household month-long event. 

Orcas Islanders are encouraged to go out individually or as households and pick up litter from their nearby neighborhood roads and beaches during walks. To reduce trips taken outside of the home, please use one bag for either road or beach litter and fill it fully. Road and beach litter can be disposed of free of charge at the Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan transfer stations.

Here are a few more considerations: 

• Safety: Visibility is very important on roads. Please wear high visibility clothing, and avoid dusk/dawns and twilight times. Children and parents are encouraged to focus on beaches and stay off of roads all together. 
• Share your efforts: Participants are encouraged to share stories! Take a photo of yourself and the trash you picked up and post it on the Great Islands Clean Up Facebook page and on your individual feed to
  encourage your friends and other members of our community to do the same using the TheGreatIslandsCleanUp hashtag.
• Make it an educational event: This is a great springtime activity you can do with your children who need outdoor breaks. Make this a fun environmental activity and take fun photos to share.

Thank you for helping us all to stay well and keep our islands’ roads and beaches clean during Earth Month and beyond!