North Bay environmental action group continues to clean city streets through community clean-up challenge
The environmental action group Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay is wrapping up its last major beautification initiative for the season on Saturday.
Armed with litter bags and trash tongs, the clean up crews were out in different areas around the city cleaning up disposed litter.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of garbage around the city and it’s nice to be out with a group making the city cleaner,” said volunteer April McCrum
Throughout the summer, Clean, Green Beautiful North Bay has been hosting different kinds of beautification challenges to encourage people to take care of the environment. The major push is the community-wide clean up.
“We want to have one great day where we’re absolutely litter free,” said the group’s chair Hariett Madigan. “Our job is to spread the word of kindness to our environment.”
Those choosing to volunteer can pick up bags at Main St. and pick up trash in their neighbourhood, from nearby park, or other areas.
Every bag that is collected, volunteers’ name is entered in a draw to win prizes like gift cards or Muskoka Chairs.
“I heard they were cleaning up the city and I thought it was a wonderful idea so I thought I’d put in my 1-3 hours,” said volunteer Mike Gelinas.
The most common things found include single-use plastics, coffee cups, and all types of garbage that is not disposed of properly.
“We make quite a difference in the appearance in our city when we do this,” explained Matthew Robertson who has been volunteering with the group since June.
Throughout the entire summer, 8,000 litter bags were handed out and returned full to the brim with trash.
“When you have a clean, green city, there’s less crime and there’s more stewardship and community engagement,” explained Madigan.
The organization plans to enter the city in the 2022 Communities in Bloom competition which judges municipalities, provincially, and nationally based on a number of criteria. These criteria include community appearance, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape, and floral displays and environmental action.
“I think it’s possible to win,” said McCrum. “With all of the community coming out and helping out, for sure it’s doable.”
To win that award, the group hopes that picking up litter will create a healthy, safe city to live in.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.