Help Clean Up Southeast for Earth Day 2021

SOUTHEAST, NY — Small groups and individual efforts are the watchword in 2021 for Earth Day.

The Southeast Town Board is offering help for efforts on the April 24-25 weekend. "If you would like to continue the tradition of Earth Day and pick up roadside litter, please contact the Town at townboard@southeast-ny.gov," they said in a memo to residents.

Town officials will make bags, gloves and vests available to individuals and groups for use for the event while supplies last. Supplies can be picked up at Town Hall, 1360 Route 22 between 7 a.m. and noon on both that Saturday and Sunday — or in advance by appointment prior to the event.

Call Town Supervisor Tony Hay at 845-279-5345 to make the appointment. Town officials will need to know your name, email address & phone number, the road(s) that you intend to clean up, and the number of bags, gloves and vests that you think you will need.

Everyone remember to post photos of your efforts on the Town’s website. Please be sure to identify the participants, whether family, friends, or organizations.

"If you do decide to participate, please be very careful: wear gloves and a mask, do not congregate in groups, and practice safe distancing from others. Please wear protective clothing. Please arm yourself against tick bites," they said in their notice.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people around the world are approaching group cleanups, the folks at earthday.org pointed out in an article on their website.

"COVID has forced us to be creative in our events structure. We had to find ways to continue to provide and promote cleanup events, while maintaining the safety of ourselves and others," they wrote.

But, and it's a big but, they pointed out that there's a positive side.

Small group and individual cleanups (designed in compliance with local COVID regulations) are perfect alternatives that allow for safe and effective cleanups all around the world.

Not only may small group and individual cleanups be easier to organize, but multiple small actions can also build to create larger change that can span across cities, states and countries. Imagine if everyone went outside today and picked up all the trash that they found on a short walk. How much litter do you think we would be able to collect? How many organisms do you think we would be able to save from the effects of pollution? Lasting impacts are built upon small daily actions that add up over time, so something as simple as taking a trash bag with you on your next outdoor run to pick up litter is impactful.

Click to learn more about their Great Global Cleanup 2021.