Make Every Month Earth Month

In my most recent column I discussed the Great American Cleanup (GAC), which is a series of anti-litter and beautification projects staged during Earth Month, with the aim of keeping Islip Township clean and green. I would like to share details of two events that took place over just one weekend that clearly illustrate what GAC volunteers can accomplish.

At first glance, the Brook Street Wetlands Cleanup is a small project along a fairly short stretch of road in Islip. Look again. On Saturday, April 9, 75 volunteers met at a closed-off section of road and fanned out into the surrounding wetlands. This area contains an important ecosystem and a stream that drains to the Great South Bay. By the time the last volunteers took off their gloves, 80 bags of general litter, 6 tires, 3 mattresses, a section of telephone pole and various metal objects had been removed from the wetlands. 

The next day, KIC Junior Commissioners (JC), who are high school students nominated to this elite program by school advisors, tackled Spur Drive North, a notoriously littered road near the walkover bridge to East Islip High School. In just under two hours, 26 JCs collected 30 trash bags full of litter, along with a tire, bicycle frame, metal poles, several rugs, and fencing.  

I cannot overstate how littered this roadway is, but when I stepped back at the end of the cleanup, the area was spotless. Many passing by also noticed the difference, judging by the number who stopped to thank the JCs for making such a big difference.

Let’s do the math. More than 110 bags of litter and a significant amount of large debris are no longer a blight on the environment and appearance of our community. This was accomplished during one weekend by 100 volunteers who each gave less than two hours of time in service to their community. 

Consider that it takes about a decade for a cigarette filter to degrade, several decades for a tire, and hundreds of years for aluminum cans and some plastics. Glass bottles and Styrofoam never degrade and therefore become a permanent, harmful part of the environment. Volunteers truly do bring positive change through their work.

You don’t have to wait for an organized event to contribute. Picking up a Styrofoam cup on your own residential street is just as important as doing the same during a large group project. Please remember to extend your cleanup efforts beyond April into every day of the year to help keep our towns clean, green and beautiful.