I apologize in advance, this is a long post, but I want folks to know that
there ARE good things happening on the antilitter front---and there ARE ways
for ALL of us to keep our City clean.
Yes, Minneapolis looks pretty rough right now---the snow is that horrible
dirty gray/black color, we have leftover salt and sand piles in the gutters
from our attempts to control ice and snow this winter, and the trees and
lawns are still dormant and not on their best display.
We also have FIVE MONTHS worth of litter and debris that our fellow citizens
threw out of their cars from their ashtrays and floor boards, or that blew
out of commercial dumpsters, or that was strewn in our alleys, that has been
frozen in multiple layers of snow and ice and is now surfacing like
prehistoric creatures from a glacier. Yup, it looks rugged. And yes, the
City will begin it's Spring sweep of the alleys and streets beginning the
first part of April---Mother Nature permitting. That Sweep is a massive
effort, and by itself costs more than 1 million dollars of General Fund
dollars. It's important that we realize that we all have individual
responsibilities too, and I'm very proud to be a member of a list that has
been so proactive in litter collection. As the resident Trash Lady, let me
recap a few programs that the City coordinates in Partnership with our
residents........
Adopt a block, intersection, street or alley: Yes, we provide gloves and
yellow bags. Yes, you can put the yellow bags that you fill with litter in
your garbage cart, and there will be no additional charge for disposal of
the yellow bags with litter in them. That's the basic "rules." If there
are Marvelous Neighborhood Efforts, like Craig Miller's groups on 44th
between Lyndale and Memorial Parkway, I arrange for the bags to be picked up
the day of the event. They schedule four cleanups a year, in advance, and
have a sign commemorating their efforts and commitment. Yes, that area was
the pilot program for the rest of the "adopts" in Minneapolis, and thanks to
an awesome bunch of folks, 44th North will never be it's trashy "bad" self
again! BTW, Craig was the first person to adopt a Litter Container before
LC's were cool!
Litter containers: by Council Action the City is now out of the "free"
litter container business. We support the Adopt a Litter container
program--we'll provide the container and the bags if the adopter will empty
the container and keep the area around it clean. Alternatively, we'll
provide service for a fee, which we'll conveniently add to the Adopter's
City utility bill. By Council Action, we also provide litter containers and
once a week collection to all bus shelters--not bus stops, bus shelters. If
more than once a week service is needed, we work to find adopters. We have
worked to find adopters throughout the City--we've sent letters, walked
business districts, knocked on doors, spoken with organizations, and tried
to be visible. If we missed you, and you want a litter container of your
very own, call Janet Myles at 673-2789.
Neighborhood Cleansweeps: neighborhoods have received the applications, and
events will be scheduled soon. Look to the web, or to your neighborhood org
for dates and details. The Annual EarthDay Watershed Cleanup will be on
April 21: contact Marcia Holmberg at the Park Board (612) 313-7723 to
volunteer. Don't forget that City customers can take awesome amounts of
stuff to the South Transfer Station, with a voucher, and that cleaning out
of individual backyards and garages makes a huge contribution to our Clean
City.
Inspections is going to be enforcing existing ordinances on Commercial
Dumpsters much more vigorously. These are a continual source of blowing
litter, litter distributed by birds squirrels and other urban dwellers and
general messiness. Those folks that use a dumpster in their business or
apartments need to remember the rule: PUT THE LID DOWN WHEN YOU'RE DONE!!!!
Education: there has not been an anti-litter education program since the
ones featuring Iron Eyes Cody and Hooty the Owl. Minneapolis will be
kicking off an anti-litter education effort, and we are enlisting the aid of
other regional entities (Public AND Private) for a Regional Anti-litter
program. Truly, as list posters have said, folks don't understand that
litter is bad!!! It is a sad commentary on us that we need to TEACH this
basic, golden rule message. Watch for posters, TransStop messages, radio
spots, and other media outlets for the message. Mary Small and Bill
Anderson will be coordinating this, and they've got some great ideas!
There are other programs in the Heritage Homes area, the University rental
area, the 38th and Chicago area, etc., that are specific to those areas. We
work with the ideas of our customers and try to support their energy and
enthusiasm. Yes, Wendy and I are available for evening and weekend trash
pickup with you.......we BELIEVE that in partnership we can achieve a Clean
Minneapolis.
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