Litter a ‘continuing and prevalent problem’ in town, says Redekop

Realizing there is a local litter problem seems to happen every year once the snow has melted.

And that’s part of the reason behind an initiative being taken by the town, encouraging groups of people to hit neighbourhoods in Greater Fort Erie to get rid of unwanted garbage.

The event will be part of Earth Day efforts this year on April 22.

“A lot of individuals have been contacting us saying they want to participate,” Mayor Wayne Redekop told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.

Interested participants can contact Redekop’s office or town staff to arrange what part of town they’d like to improve.

“Providing there isn’t someone already doing that area, they can work there,” said Redekop.

He said trash and litter laying around town is a “continuing and prevalent problem” that needs to be addressed.

The event is a result of a resolution passed by council more than a year ago, and it could grow into something that happens more than once a year, said the mayor.

Redekop said much of the problem has to do with wind making a mess when people leave their garbage and recycling at the end of the driveway for pickup.

Many residents are thoughtful enough to pick it up when it blows halfway down the street, but not everyone.

“Some people feel it’s not their job once it leaves their property, and that’s unfortunate,” said Redekop.

Asked about commercial properties, such as one in town near a major shopping hub surrounded by a snow fence, Redekop agreed it’s an example of the problem, adding that the local government does enforce its property standard bylaw when it needs to.

Those interested in volunteering to help clean up can contact the mayor at wredekop@forterie.ca or town staffer Meaghan Opatovsky at mopatovsky@forterie.ca.

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