City-wide event sweeps Vaughan
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More than 17,000 participants collected litter for 20-Minute Makeover
More than 17,000 participants from 45 schools, 13 businesses, six community groups and 17 City of Vaughan departments took 20 minutes to collect litter in Vaughan during 20-Minute Makeover on April 17. The annual environmental awareness initiative in support of Earth Day brings together communities across Canada to make a positive impact on the environment.
Since 2004, Vaughan has participated in 20-Minute Makeover as part of the City’s commitment to protecting the environment. This year’s event was held in partnership with Pitch-In Canada, a national non-profit group dedicated to environmental initiatives. The community cleanup educates residents about waste-management and promotes community stewardship. According to the most recent Statistics Canada Waste Management Industry Survey, Canadians produced more than 24.8 tonnes of waste in 2010.
The event also supports goals outlined in Green Directions Vaughan, the Community Sustainability and Environmental Master Plan, including being leaders in advocacy and education on sustainability issues and significantly reducing the amount of waste the City generates. In 2013, 66 per cent of residential waste in Vaughan was diverted from landfills.
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua participated in a kick-off event on Friday in Ward 3 with students and staff of Fossil Hill Public School. Vaughan Councillors also attended community cleanup events in their respective wards: Mackenzie Glen Public School (Ward 1), St. Clement Catholic Elementary School (Ward 2), Nellie McClung Public School (Ward 4) and Rosedale Heights Public School (Ward 5).
For more information about 20-Minute Makeover and to learn about Vaughan’s environmental initiatives, visit vaughan.ca/environment or email environment@vaughan.ca.
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Fossil Hill Public School students at the 20-Minute Makeover event.