BaltCo Litter Blitz 2022 Results Are In!
During Earth Month, April 2022, more than 1,600 volunteers fanned out all across Baltimore County, teaming up to tackle litter as part of Litter Blitz, a joint initiative of the County’s departments of Public Works and Transportation; Environmental Protection and Sustainability; and Recreation and Parks.
A broad array of community, civic and business groups participated, with the campaign prompting 83 cleanups. Volunteers removed more than 1,200 bags of trash, for an estimated total weight of 11,678 pounds (over five tons).
COUNTYWIDE COMMUNITY PRIDE
In the Stoneybrook neighborhood of Randallstown, DeVonne Parks rallied seven friends and neighbors for a Litter Blitz cleanup around Scotts Level Park. “We accomplished a lot and our volunteers were really happy to be a part of it and thought more communities should do it,” Parks said, adding that they plan to do more cleanups this fall.
Reflecting on her group’s Litter Blitz cleanup this April, Bettina Tebo, Executive Director of the Greater Arbutus Business Association said she has noticed a distinct increase in litter over the past few years and wondered, “Why would you trash your own place, the place where you live?” As part of Baltimore County’s Litter Blitz effort during Earth Month this year, Tebo and about 40 volunteers struck out bright and early on a Saturday morning in late April, determined to make a difference along East Drive, the “main street” of Arbutus’ neighborhood downtown.
Tebo felt that Litter Blitz was “absolutely awesome,” and recounted how her participants loved taking part in such a positive effort that helps show pride and strengthens their community. She believes that their various beautification efforts help create an abiding sense that people care about the area, which helps deter littering and other negative behaviors.
LITTER BLITZERS REALLY CLEANED UP THIS EARTH MONTH
Together, we literally made tons of difference for a Clean Green Baltimore County! Stay tuned for future Litter Blitz programs, and if you are interested in making a difference any time, you can participate in the County's many anti-litter initiatives, like Adopt-A-Road, the Team BCPS Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge and the Litter Smart Business program.