PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — With Earth Day coming up Wednesday, SOLVE is kicking off celebrations early with community cleanups aimed at getting more people involved in protecting the environment.
Volunteers gathered at Lents Park to pick up litter on Saturday as part of Earth Month efforts organized by SOLVE.
Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE, an environmental nonprofit, said the cleanup at Lents Park was “part of one of over 200 events we’ve got going on for Earth Month,” and was done in partnership with the Portland Pickles and Portland General Electric.
Carico said about 65 people turned out for the Lents Park cleanup, using litter grabbers and bags to collect trash throughout the neighborhood. She said volunteers quickly returned with full bags.
“Every time it surprises me,” Carico said of how much trash is collected. “It surprises the volunteers as well, because you might look down and think things are pretty clean. But then you come back with a full bag of trash and you see the cumulative efforts of everybody as well that have come back.”
Carico said the work is about more than appearances, pointing to the impact litter can have on waterways. “It’s about keeping our environment and our waterways clean,” she said. “About 80% of marine debris starts on land. So when we are cleaning it up at the source and it doesn’t go out to the sea, that’s really important.”
She said Earth Day cleanups are also meant to strengthen neighborhoods and encourage young people to get involved.
“It’s more than just picking up trash, it’s about building community and getting kids out so that we’re building that legacy of stewardship and getting them young to learn how it should take care of our community,” Carico said.
Another community cleanup is planned for Wednesday, Earth Day, in downtown Portland.
Carico said SOLVE expects about 300 to 400 people to participate, with volunteers spreading out to clean up around Waterfront Park.
For people looking to join an event, Carico encouraged residents to check SOLVE’s website.