The Great Islands Clean Up (fall edition) is coming up on September 21! All are welcome to join in this semi-annual island tradition, an event organized by San Juan County to care for our island home. Each year, GICU volunteers pick up thousands of pounds of litter from shared beaches and roadways.
Fall 2024 Great Islands Clean Up
10am to 11am — Check in, pick your route, and pick up supples and snacks at Lopez Village Park. Some supplies will also be available outside Southend Market.
12pm to 2pm — Drop off supplies and collected litter at the Lopez Dump, following signs to the designated GICU intake area.
Traditionally, we've measured and compared litter by weight, year after year. This year, in addition to total weight, we will also keep track of microplastics — litter that doesn't weigh very much, but that has a very harmful impact on our ecosystem. In particular, San Juan County is asking volunteers to keep an eye out for nurdles — small plastic pellets that are the raw materials used to make plastic products. If you find any nurdles, consider picking them up in a smaller container so we can track how they're impacting Lopez beaches!
Want to volunteer, or learn more about Great Islands Clean Up? Email sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org.
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