Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) received a sprucing up as volunteers participated in the annual P.E.I. Women’s Institute roadside cleanup over the weekend. Since 1973, this province-wide initiative has seen individuals combing through fields, tree borders, and streets to collect litter. Various groups utilized the iconic yellow Women’s Institute bags or clear bags to gather items like coffee cups, glass, and cigarette remnants.
Virginia McGowan, from the Charlottetown Rotary Club, emphasized the goal of enhancing the island’s beauty and health for everyone’s benefit. McGowan highlighted the persistence of litter in the environment, urging people to be mindful of their waste disposal habits.
The Rotary Club of Charlottetown, in their second year of participation, is committed to returning for future cleanups, potentially organizing another session in the fall. Last year, the club amassed a truckload of debris, illustrating the ongoing issue of litter despite P.E.I.’s natural allure.
Duncan Conrad, a longstanding member of the Rotary Club, noted the improvement in cleanliness this year, with the group collecting 10-15 bags of rubbish in specific areas. Additionally, UPEI’s Rotaract Club got involved in the cleanup effort, emphasizing the importance of thorough searches for even the smallest litter pieces to protect local wildlife from harm.