A Litter Bit Better! 2014 Final Results

A Litter Bit Better! 2014 Final Results

2014 was the 8th annual Help Make Rochester A Litter Bit Better! event. Each year, thousands of volunteers collect litter from across Rochester. Together in the past 8 years, these individuals, service groups, businesses, scout troops, faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, and families have worked together to remove over 95 tons of litter from the community. The removal of this waste reduces potential land and water pollution while beautifying our cityscape. Participants in the event build community ties and reinforce a strong sense of community pride. The ultimate goal of the program is to prevent water pollution by eliminating litter-causing behavior in the City of Rochester.

Volunteers picked up litter at 237 collection sites that covered 5,106 acres of land in Rochester. The sites ranged in size from 0.5 acres to 257 acres with the average site being 21 acres in size. These efforts resulted in 24,360 pounds of litter being removed from the environment in 2014.

The amount of litter picked up in 2014 was approximately the same as in 2013. The number of volunteers collecting has remained essentially steady through the last 6 years, so this result is not due to less effort.

Over 80% of survey respondents picked up fast food packaging and plastic bags. 90% of respondents picked up plastic bottles.

Opportunities for Involvement

Here are some ways you can be involved in A Litter Bit Better!

  • 2015 Steering Committee Members – Be a part of leading A Litter Bit Better! Members work to keep the program running smoothly and develop new initiatives. (Members attend 5, hour-long meetings per year.)
  • Distribute posters
  • Recruit Business Partners
  • Solicit donations

Contact Megan Moeller via email or 507-328-2440 if you would like more information. The information posted on this page is a condensed version of the final results. The entire PDF can be accessed here.

Save the Date for the next A Litter Bit Better! April 18 – 25, 2015.

More pictures of the volunteers who pitched in for A Litter Bit Better! 2014 can be seen posted on the RNeighbors facebook page.

Above photo: The energetic pick-up volunteers at the Oak Terrace/Parkside neighborhood.

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