London Clean and Green

REMINDER (April 24, 2020) - Annual London Clean & Green activities on hold. . . but what can you do instead?

The 2020 London Clean & Green program has been delayed until further notice, but you can still help reduce litter and waste.

1. Avoid creating litter when you place your garbage and recycling at the curb. When placing garbage or recycling out for collection, stack heavy items on top of lighter ones to avoid the wind blowing waste into the street. Bag all garbage. Do not place loose garbage in a can.
2. Most donation centres and bins are temporarily closed. Call ahead or check websites to double-check. Do not leave materials outside donation centres or bins where weather can ruin the items or create a mess. Hold on to items to be donated later as they will be needed in the future.
3. Turn home composting into a household activity. Composting at home is a great way to handle kitchen waste including fruit & vegetable scraps, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds & filters, and tissues, napkins, or paper towels.
4. Look for activities and actions at home. Many can be done with your family. Here are just a few:

• Have fun with a simple Environmental Scavenger Hunt for kids and families.
• Try to go paperless at home with your computer.
• Reduce energy use by doing small things such as:
  • Turn off and unplug electronics and small appliances when not in use
  • Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Wash clothes when you have a full load of laundry and in cold water, if possible.
• Use reusable refillable bottles and containers.
• Plan a green garden by choosing drought-tolerant, native plants.
• Measuring your impact at home through our Project Neutral Carbon Calculator
  • Input the age of your home and how it's heated or cooled,
  • how you commute,
  • the type of vehicle you drive,
  • what foods you enjoy,
  • whether you recycle or compost.
  • Our carbon calculator uses your answers to estimate of your household's current climate impact.
  • From there, you can plan how you can reduce energy use, save money and/or invest in your home and the environment.
• Visit the London Environmental Network for other great local ideas.

Stay tuned for more information and updates about London Clean & Green as COVID-19 guidelines and conditions evolve.

As this situation evolves, the City of London, on behalf of the London Clean & Green program, will advise whether any outdoor activities may be possible later in May. For now, the hold on events due to COVID-19 includes all organized events and activities in April and early May, including those listed below:

• All organized cleanups
• Business cleanups as part of the 20 Minute London Makeover
• Volunteer community cleanups that occur across London as part of the Community-wide Cleanup event
• Group cleanups in Adopt-a-Park locations
• Supply of gloves and bags from the City of London or London Clean & Green
• City of London collection of litter and garbage at designated pickup points from cleanups

This decision is based on the rules provided by the Province of Ontario such as the Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities and important healthcare advice about public gatherings from the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

City parks, for example, are only open to walk or cycle through. This essentially rules out a litter cleanup in a park.

With respect to City boulevards, we are asking that Londoners wait. The Province has not listed litter management as an essential service. Being outside is for exercise, walking the dog, or walking to get supplies. Picking up litter is not a priority right now. . but your safety is.

We all know how difficult it is to ignore litter this time of year. Very frustrating for all.

The health and safety of our volunteers, partners, and the community is our top priority. We will need your help when we return, and we look forward to launching our 25th year of London Clean & Green when it becomes clear it is safe to do so.