Spring Into Action and Make a Difference

It all started with one 10-year-old girl. In 1996, 10-year-old Elizabeth de Bakker saw a need in our community to stop litter and decided that she could do something to help. Spring Up to Clean Up was born, and has been running ever since. She proved that one can make a difference, and that one can turn into many.

This year is the 26th annual Spring Up to Clean Up campaign, where any Thunder Bay resident, business, or community group can join in to help remove litter from our city streets and parks. Litter is a serious problem. Not only does it look trashy, but it harms our environment, our community, wildlife, and our great Lake Superior. Litter can take weeks or even centuries to break down. The process releases chemicals and microparticles that contaminate the water and soil, causing harm to domestic and wild animals, along with humans. Removing litter not only prevents harmful pollution, it also connects with community pride and lets us see that our actions can make a positive difference for present and future generations.

Over the last two years, our world has changed dramatically. One of these changes has been a new source of common litter. A recent study of 11 countries, including Canada, reported face mask litter increased 9,000% from March to October 2020. Last year, EcoSuperior offered data collection cards to clean-up volunteers, which revealed that over 120 PPE items were found. These littered masks and gloves remain in nature until someone picks them up!

Spring Up to Clean Up is a way to help remove COVID-related litter, as well as other common trash items like food packaging, plastic bags, and cigarette butts. Last year, volunteers collected, recorded, and removed 176 plastic straws, 239 plastic bags, and 4,507 cigarette butts during local clean-ups. Data matters, and there is a special contest this year for those willing to help us gather this information.

Spring Up to Clean Up is a way to keep our city clean and litter-free, but it’s also a way to have fun! Each year we run contests where you can test your creative skills and find inspiration. There is a poster contest for elementary schools where we ask students to draw what they love most about nature and why we shouldn’t litter. There is also a citywide photography contest for your best clean-up photo showing community spirit, love of nature, or your most creative Spring-Up pose!

We can make a difference and stop litter, but it takes us coming together as a community and being willing to Spring Up to Clean Up!

For more information, visit ecosuperior.org/ springuptbay.