West End Community Clean-up Day
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sat, 04/22/2023
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
By registering and participating in the event, you agree to treat everyone with respect regardless of race, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation, language, financial status, age, record of offenses, immigration or family status. You also agree to obey and follow all laws and regulations, directions, rules, policies, procedures, training, or orientation provided prior, during and after the event. You also agree to the use of your name, quotations, photography, video footage, audiotaping or any film footage of yourself. You hereby grant Gordon Neighbourhood House, its successors, assigns and licensees the perpetual right to use media, as they desire. You understand that all the rights belong to Gordon Neighbourhood House and that your efforts will not give rise to any compensation, financial or otherwise. You understand that you will not be provided with a copy of the film, photo or audio recording for personal use or commercial purposes such as broadcasting publishing, uploading or streaming, online or offline.
The West End is a lush neighbourhood located near the city’s best-loved beaches and world-famous Stanley Park. The district is home to 45,000 people, and is one of most densely populated areas in Canada. The neighbourhood also hosts some of the largest events in the city, which attract hundreds of thousands of spectators every year. Residents are proud of the neighbourhood, and take pride in their community. The neighbourhood’s enviable location has led to high demand by residents and visitors alike. Similar to other popular destinations, the West End developed a litter problem. Litter is more than just a mark on our landscape, it impacts our quality of life and economic development, it is costly to clean up, and eventually it ends up on our beaches and in our oceans.
Gordon Neighbourhood House will hosts these Community Clean-up Events with the following goals:
• Cleaner Public Spaces—Combatting Litter, Graffiti, and Illegal Dumping
• Litter Education and Awareness—Prevent Litter in the First Place
• Encourage Community Participation—We Are All Part of the Solution
• Advocate for Community Infrastructure and Services
• Discourage Illegal Dumping—Preventing Unsightly Waste
• Develop Strong Community Partnerships
• Sustainability
Why Should We Care About Litter in our West End Community?
• What is Litter?
Litter is essentially improperly managed waste. Litter can include waste that is intentionally discarded such as cigarette butts, food packaging, and other trash or illegal dumping, as well as unintentionally disposed items such as overflowing trash cans or litter that has accumulated from the wind. Whether intentional or unintentional, litter negatively impacts the natural environment, as well as the quality of life and economic development of our community.
• Litter Affects Humans and our Environment
Litter can have serious consequences for our environment and health as it degrades the planet we all depend on. Most trash takes years or even centuries to breakdown. Wherever it lands, it’s likely going to be there for a long time, leaching chemicals, rusting, breaking into microplastics, and creating hazards for unsuspecting wildlife. Heavy rains wash litter through storm drains into nearby water bodies releasing pollutants, threatening aquatic life, and detracting from local beaches. Litter also threatens public health by harbouring bacteria and attracting disease carrying pests and rodents.
• Litter Detracts From Our Community
No one enjoys seeing littered or illegally dumped goods in their community. It negatively impacts community pride, as well as others’ perceptions of the health and vitality of our community. This has implications for business development, tourism, and property values. According to national surveys, 36 percent of business development decision-makers stated that community cleanliness impacts a decision whether or not they locate in a community. Studies have also shown that litter can leave lasting negative perceptions on international visitors, and can influence how long tourists stay, whether visitors return, or how likely they will recommend the destination to their friends and family.
• Litter Removal Is Costly
Litter and illegal dumping removal is a significant drain on municipal resources, especially communities dealing with limited resources and rising civic costs. The City of Vancouver spends over a million of dollars every year cleaning up litter and illegal dumping. Every dollar that is spent supporting waste removal could be used for other beneficial services and amenities.
• Successful Litter Prevention Strategies Must Include the Community
Since cleaning up litter is a significant use of time and resources, many cities and provinces are shifting their focus to education, prevention, and community-based litter removal programs and initiatives. These programs offer proven outcomes, in addition to encouraging sustainable attitude and behavioral change.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.