A Litter Bit Better News

A Litter Bit Better was featured in the April issue of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce's Advantage member magazine.

The below article was written by Brian Olson, the Communications Director at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. The cover photo was taken with A Litter Bit Better Steering Committee members by Lower Photography and Studio.

The Goal of A Litter Bit Better
More and more people picking up less and less litter every year.

Why A Litter Bit Better Works

1. The steering committee is a cooperative effort between individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the local government. A litter-free city benefits all parts of the community. The steering committee is a group of highly dedicated people who are passionate about the mission.
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This Mayo High School student effort of over 1,000 students worked together to clean up Mayo High school grounds, Bear Creek Park, and woods along the creek behind the school.

Tom Olson, Assistant Principal, along with Kevin Landherr, a Science Teacher, coordinated the effort. Over 7 hours, heaps of trash were collected and students enthusiastically commented on the quantity of recycling materials they collected, as well as what a great opportunity it was to better their community.

Despite the misty skies and soggy ground, intrepid volunteers started gathering litter on day one of A Litter Bit Better! 2008. Look and see some photos taken on the first day of pick up. Rochester neighbors have been busy!

There are still areas that need to be adopted, so it’s not too late for people to register; the event continues through next Saturday, April 26.

Announcing the Grand Prize winner for the 2008 A Litter Bit Better! Poster Contest - Alicia Cowl and her "Trasketball" picture!

We challenged all fourth grade students in Rochester to draw a brightly colored picture that displays:

• Why it is important to not litter
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During this week, volunteers will join together to pick up litter in Rochester.

Why is there a need? Maybe Rochester seems like a really clean city to you?

In fact, compared with other locations, it is very clean but it takes our constant care. Last year, Rochester’s first A Litter Bit Better! event contributed to the collection of 21,500 pounds of litter by over 1,400 volunteers from public lands throughout the City of Rochester. That’s a lot of trash!

Did you know that according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation 45% of roadside litter occurs unintentionally when trash blows out of uncovered trucks or falls off of unsecured loads?

You can help!

Here’s how:

• Save the date for 2008! April 19-26
• Select an area of Rochester for collecting litter
• Pick a date during A Litter Bit Better! week for collecting litter
• Recruit family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers to help you collect litter
• Register your group, location, and date on-line
• Pick up your collection instructions and trash bags
• Collect litter on your selected date
• Report your results and celebrate your good deed!

Check our website links below for more about A Litter Bit Better! and for information about the history of the campaign.

A Litter Bit Better! Weblinks

• About
• News
• Events
• Photo Gallery
• Registration
• Sponsors
• Partners

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Did you know?

• One average fast food Styrofoam container thrown out a car window will take 1 million years to decompose?
• Fast food containers and waste make up 33% of all litter.
• One aluminum can will take 200-500 years to break down.
• Littered cigarette filters contain toxic chemicals that leak into the air and water.
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On Monday, April 9, at 9:30 am, over 40 Rochester folks showed up to the City Hall Atrium to celebrate the Mayoral Proclamation of Earth Week 2007 in Rochester, April 21-28.

Pictured above is a team all interested in the A Litter Bit Better! community cleanup. The Boy Scouts will tackle the waterways, continuing their fine tradition of spring cleanup. Other organizing groups are included in the photo such as Phil Larsen from Rochester Public Works Department, Geno Wente from Waste Management, Greg Munson from Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rene Lafflam and Liana Michelfelder-Tessum from RNeighbors, and the two citizens that came up with the original city-wide clean up idea, Craig Weckwerth from Think and Mark St. Peter from City Auto Glass.

During the week of April 21-28, 2007, volunteers from Rochester neighborhoods, businesses, groups, and individuals will be working together to pick up the litter in our community.

Will you join in the effort?

You can help by volunteering to pick up Rochester or by sponsoring the event. The flyer for this event is attached. Please print it off and post it for all to see.