York Region encourages residents to clean up trash

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York is encouraging residents to take a few minutes out of their day to clean up trash around their home, office or neighbourhood in celebration of Earth Week.

“The winter months have left us with trash on our streets and our properties,” said Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch.  “If we all pitch in together for only a few minutes during Earth Week, this will go a long way to cleaning up our communities and neighbourhoods.”

A variety of environmentally-friendly events are taking place in York Region this week as part of the Earth Week celebration from April 19-24.  Events include a walk in the York Regional Forest, tree planting and a display of eco-friendly products and technologies in the York Region Administrative Centre’s Great Hall.

“Earth Week is all about environmental protection, and litter is a growing problem,” said Chair Fisch.  “We hope to raise awareness that protection of our natural heritage can start with as little as picking up a few pieces of discarded trash.”

In February, York Region announced plans for an anti-litter campaign to help with the problem of discarded trash across the Region.  A public education campaign is currently in the planning stages, with full implementation expected by spring 2005.

For more information on Earth Week activities, please call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit Earth Day Canada’s Web site at www.earthday.ca

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at: www.region.york.on.ca

Contact:            Michael Kemp, Corporate Communications, York Region

- (905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1232

- Email: michael.kemp@region.york.on.ca

Contact: Patrick Casey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, York Region

• (905) 830-4444, ext. 1235
• Email: patrick.casey@region.york.on.ca