Local volunteers clean up 600 pounds of garbage from Upper Squamish Valley

Local citizens volunteered yesterday to collect as much as 600 pounds of garbage and 2,000 cans and bottles from Upper Squamish Valley.

The volunteer effort was led by Tim Cyr, who has organised such events in the past.

After Cyr put out a call on social media, as many as 15 local citizens showed up and collected 600 pounds of garbage from ditches in the Upper Squamish Valley.

Volunteers started picking up the garbage from Cheekeye Bridge and continued for about 20 kilometres on the road, right to the last home in the area.

“We got 600 pounds of garbage, and not including wood, and 2,000 cans of refundable bottles, along with plastic, headlights, paper cups, etc,” said Tim Cyr.

It took the volunteers over three hours to do the cleanup.

Cyr says he has seen an increase in garbage being dumped across town, particularly in the Paradise and Squamish Valley areas.

“Perhaps it is the increase in population or more people visiting these areas, there is just garbage anywhere you look,” he said.

Cyr is planning to organise another clean up soon in Paradise Valley. He is also expressing his gratitude to those who volunteered for the cleanup yesterday.

“This was a team effort and I am really thankful to all those who came,” he said.

Meanwhile, the funds raised from the cans and bottles will go towards surgery for Waffle, a local citizen’s dog.