The Volunteers Behind 10 Million Pieces of Litter Collected
Reaching a milestone this big would not have been possible without our volunteers.
A Greener Future has officially surpassed 10 million pieces of litter collected since 2014. The number represents an enormous environmental impact, including protecting Lake Ontario and our waterways and helping prevent larger plastics from breaking down into microplastics that can enter the environment and our bodies.
But when you look more closely, you also see all the people who have been part of this journey, the countless conversations that have taken place and the memories that have been made along the way.
People truly are the drivers of change. Whether you pick up one piece of litter or 1,000, each individual action contributes to a larger collective impact.
Recently, we spoke with some of our volunteers about what it means to be part of this community and help clean up our lakes. Each person has their own motivation for attending a cleanup and their own relationship with the environment. What they share is a desire to contribute to positive environmental change.
Volunteers and AGF staff at a public cleanup at Woodbine Beach.
What Inspires People to Volunteer?
Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds. They include high school students, employees participating in corporate cleanups and community members simply looking for a meaningful way to give back.
When we asked volunteers what inspired them to take action with A Greener Future, we heard a shared commitment to making a difference.
Darya Pichugina described her motivation as a “belief in a better place” and a desire to “leave the Earth a bit better before you go.”
Max Vyolsen is inspired by his studies in climate justice. He sees the importance of creating change at a local and personal level, which is why he began volunteering with A Greener Future.
Volunteers at Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Creating Memorable Cleanup Experiences
When volunteers come to our events, they are not only picking up litter. They are also creating memories that can last long after the cleanup ends.
Sometimes it is a funny moment shared with another volunteer. Other times, it is finding one piece of litter that changes how someone sees an environmental issue. These shared experiences bring people together and can inspire continued action.
Toronto volunteer Rose Spohn remembers watching two swans come ashore and begin pecking through a bed of cigarette butts. Seeing the birds surrounded by litter made her feel sick as she thought about the wildlife that may consume cigarette butts and small plastics. It also strengthened her motivation to attend cleanups and help prevent this pollution.
How Does the Impact Continue Beyond a Cleanup?
What remains after the equipment has been packed up and the cleanup has ended?
The impact can extend far beyond the litter collected. Cleanups can introduce people to new places, create community connections and encourage participants to spend more time outside.
Dev Pandey shared that attending A Greener Future cleanups has been a great way to explore parts of the city he had never visited before. He also said the experience has had a positive effect on his mental health by giving him opportunities to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, walk along the waterfront and through community parks, and connect with new people.
Volunteer, Dev Pandey, picking up litter at Budapest Park.
What Does the 10 Million Milestone Mean to Our Volunteers?
Reaching 10 million pieces shows what can happen when thousands of individual actions come together around a shared purpose.
When we asked our volunteers what the milestone meant to them, we received many heartfelt responses.
Max shared that, to him, it represents the many people in our community who care deeply about the environment and are willing to dedicate their time to creating positive change.
For Andy To, a volunteer in Mississauga, the milestone demonstrates that when a group of people comes together to take action, they can make a big difference.
Every volunteer, staff member, community partner and supporter who participated helped bring us to this moment. Ten million pieces were not collected through one enormous action. They were collected one piece and one cleanup at a time.
Thank You to Our Community
A Greener Future would not be where it is today without our community of dedicated volunteers.
We hope that one day there will be no litter left to collect. Until then, we are grateful for every person who chooses to spend their time creating cleaner, healthier communities.
Ten million pieces is an incredible milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. Find an event near you and help us begin collecting our next million pieces.
