Yorkville Litter Cleanup Program (multiple dates and locations)

Most river and coastal debris originates on land—removing litter from streets, parks, and riverbanks prevents it from washing into waterways and the Great Lakes. Every bag you pick up helps stop pollution at the source.

NOAA Marine Debris Program: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/what-marine-debris

Plastics can persist for decades to centuries in the environment; picking up even a few plastic items prevents long-term pollution that harms wildlife and ecosystems.

NOAA Marine Debris Program — Plastics: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/information/plastics

Volunteering for community cleanups is linked to improved mental and physical health—lower stress, a stronger sense of purpose, and greater life satisfaction—so one hour can benefit both the environment and your wellbeing.

Harvard Health Publishing — The health benefits of volunteering: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/the-health-benefits-of-volunteering

Litter provides food and shelter for rodents and pests; removing trash reduces the risk of infestations and related health hazards in neighborhoods.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Preventing rodent infestations: https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/index.html

Visible litter normalizes more littering, but community cleanups reset neighborhood norms—clean spaces encourage others to keep them clean, so your participation multiplies its impact.

UN Environment Programme — How cleanups help turn the tide on plastic pollution: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/turning-tide-plastic-pollution-how-cleanups-help

Many common items collected during cleanups—aluminum cans, glass, certain plastics—are recyclable; removing and recycling them conserves resources and energy compared with producing new materials.

U.S. EPA — Recycling Basics: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics