Street litter is on the rise. It’s not just unattractive, it clogs sewer pipes, contributes to flooding, and harms our environment in ways we often don’t see. Last year volunteers were struck by the sheer number of cigarette butts collected. Small as they are, cigarette butts are made of non-biodegradable plastic that leach toxic chemicals like arsenic, lead, and nicotine into the soil and waterways.
And the impact doesn’t stop there. As plastics break down, they become microplastics – now found everywhere from oceans to our own bodies, impacting our environment and our health. Emerging research is even linking microplastics to declining human sperm counts.
That’s Why Earth Day Matters.
Join us on Wednesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), 366 Richmond Road, and be part of the solution. The Westboro Community Association is partnering with MEC, the Westboro Village BIA, and Cleaning the Capital to clean up Richmond Road, from Golden Avenue to Tweedsmuir. As a thank you, volunteers will receive a 15% discount at MEC.
Come out, make a visible difference, and help keep our community (and our planet) healthy!
