Let's make Rochester 'A Litter Bit Better'

It's that time of year again — when volunteers come together for one week to make Rochester "A Litter Bit Better."

The initiative, launched in 2007, is a partnership between the city, local nonprofits and the business community. Volunteers have collected more than 122 tons of litter since its first year, according to RNeighbors, which helps organize the annual clean-up.

Last year's event had a record turnout with 3,650 volunteers helping clean up local neighborhoods, parks and businesses. But the best part of 2016 was that the amount of litter collected actually went down, says Rene Lafflam, executive director of RNeighbors.

"Our goal is for each year the amount of litter collected to be less than prior years," Lafflam said in an email. "Our dream would be that because of increased litter awareness there would be no need to have a Litter Bit Better pickup at all!"

This year’s pickup week is April 22-29. Volunteers can register online or via email at mkraszewski@rochestermn.gov.

Cover photo: Licensed / Pixabay