Community Corner
The Big Cleanup Clearwater Results Are In
About 6,588 pounds of litter were picked up through a series of cleanups hosted by local businesses and civic groups.
CLEARWATER, FL — The results are in for the first-ever Big Cleanup Clearwater. Between Oct. 11 and 16, more than 1,297 volunteers picked up the equivalent of half the weight of an elephant.
Approximately 6,588 pounds of litter was picked up through a series of cleanups hosted by local businesses, civic groups and homeowner associations.
"It was a bittersweet feeling to see the total collected. On the one hand, it's upsetting to know the amount of litter existed in our community in the first place," said Mayor Frank Hibbard. "However, we're so grateful for the volunteers that found and picked up all those items and the example they set for the community."
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As part of the cleanup, volunteers were required to self-report their litter totals and findings. Some of the most popular findings were cigarette butts and plastic bottles. These items are important to remove because they do not decompose quickly, and they spread chemicals that harm the wildlife in our community. Some of the most popular peculiar items found were monopoly money, rugs, toothbrushes and car parts.
"It was amazing to see the number of volunteers participating and how much ground they were able to cover," said volunteer coordinator Samantha Moullet. "Many volunteers were here because they took pride in having a litter-free community. So many non-Clearwater residents also jumped in just to be a part of the solution and that was amazing to see."
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
More than 70 participating business and community groups picked up trash at parks, schools, recreation centers, beaches and more across Clearwater. In total, volunteers cleaned up an estimated 126 roadways and 11 shorelines.
"It's important to remember that the cleanup efforts do not stop here," said sustainability coordinator Sheridan Boyle. "We want to encourage people to dispose of trash, avoid using single-use plastics, volunteer for other cleanup events throughout the year and continue recycling properly."
The cleanup was made possible with the assistance of Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater, Amplify Clearwater and Ocean Allies.
