Photo: NASA

With Earth Day around the corner this weekend, Okanagan residents are encouraged to clean up their neighbourhoods.

Central Okanagan waste reduction facilitator Rae Stewart says a number of volunteer efforts are planned for Sunday.

These include cleanups by the Oyama Community Group and Lakes Community Association. 

“Every year, hundreds of families, friends, service clubs, church groups, and businesses lend their support to cleanup initiatives and make a big difference in our community," says Stewart. "It’s a massive outpouring of community pride and spirit. It’s also quite remarkable how much can actually be accomplished in a very short time. Many hands make light work!” 

Jodi Cochrane of the Lakes Community Association says a group of about 70 will wind up with a pancake breakfast to celebrate.

“It’s a nice way to meet the neighbours, a fun family event, and we’re proud of all the people that come out to help out," she says.

Several cleanups have already taken place, including those by the First Bear Scouts, Uptown Rutland Business Association, Kelowna Geocaching Group, North Westside Road Association, Manteo Resort, CTQ Consulting, First Baptist Church, and Revolution Christian Ministries.

The Regional Waste Reduction Office will provide all the gear and supplies you’ll need – and will even arrange pick-up afterwards.For more information, visit regionaldistrict.com/recycle, or call 250-469-6250.          

Meanwhile, Susan Bass vice-president of the Earth Day Network, says this year's focus is on single-use plastics, such as straws and water bottles. 

"Single-use plastic numbers are staggering, with one million bottles per minute being consumed in the world. It's hard to fathom – 50 billion water bottles per year, four trillion plastic bags a year, and half a million plastic straws used every day," says Bass.