It's time for spring cleaning in London, Ontario as the city's annual two-week Clean and Green campaign begins begins.
The campaign, in its 29th year, was officially started on Tuesday at the Tourism London Welcome Centre.
Since 1996, the campaign has encouraged preventing litter and community-driven cleanups across London. It includes the 12 Days of Cleaning leading up to the 20-minute London Makeover on April 19 and the Community-wide Clean-up and Earthfest on April 20.
“Now that the snow has melted, we've all seen the litter on the ground, so the London Clean and Green campaign starts at this time every year,” says Jay Stanford, director of climate change, environment, and waste management with the city.
Stanford says it's more important than ever for Londoners to help pick up litter, whether through large-scale cleanups or by picking up a few pieces during a walk.
“Throughout April, there are many large cleanups, so it's easy to join larger groups in London doing their part,” Stanford said.
“But it's crucial to take the time and effort now to prepare the city for the upcoming summer months.”
The “12 Days of Cleaning” encourages Londoners to clean up their homes, backyard sheds, or do any spring cleaning while making sure all litter is properly disposed of, the city says.
The “20-minute London Makeover” on the 19th encourages local businesses, institutions, and individual Londoners to spend 20 minutes cleaning up outside their workplace or home, with many starting around 2 p.m.
To conclude the campaign, the “Community-wide Clean-up” takes place on April 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with several community-led cleanups around the city. London’s annual EarthFest will also be happening on the same day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to advocate environmental action and local organizations.
“It's a big request, but we know from past years where thousands of Londoners participated, we ask that you simply encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do their part and help London stay clean and green,” Stanford says.
Speaking at the launch, London mayor Josh Morgan says council's priority is climate action.
“We now have a permanent reserve fund that we are contributing to annually, which will finance the actions needed not just this year or next, but over the next 30 years to ensure we meet our climate targets,” Morgan said.
“We have to put in the effort to ensure that the world remains a habitable, sustainable place for future generations, so this requires not only action from the government and the private sector, but also the individual actions of Londoners, Ontarians, and Canadians every single day.”
Londoners who want to take part in the cleanup can ask the city for bags and gloves and arrange for a curbside pickup of bagged litter by the city on April 20.
Scheduled cleanups can be found on a map on the city’s Get Involved website.
