Kitimat residents are gearing up for the annual river cleanup, an event organized by Kitimat Understanding the Environment (KUTE) set to take place at Radley Park on Sept 14. This long-standing tradition, which was not held last year due to staffing and administrative issues, aims to bring together community members to restore the natural beauty of the Kitimat River.
“In years past, we’ve filled almost an entire shipping container full of garbage from along the riverbank as well as away from it,” KUTE manager Krysta Peralto said. The KUTE recycling depot diverts about ten tonnes of waste each month, highlighting the ongoing need for these community efforts.
“We are trying to encourage people of all ages to come out. Some people bring their young toddlers, some bring school-age students, and we have a lot of adults showing up to.” This inclusive approach aims to educate participants about the lifecycle of waste and the importance of proper disposal. “I think that a lot of people kind of forget about what happens after you throw out an item or get rid of the item out of your care,” Peralto added.
This year’s cleanup has garnered support from various local organizations, including LNG Canada, which is sponsoring the event and bringing groups of employees to participate. The organizers expect between 150 to 200 participants, a number boosted by the increasing population due to the LNG project.
Volunteers will be assigned different areas along the riverbanks to clean up, with activities starting at Radley Park. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing and bring their own mugs for hot chocolate and home-baked goodies provided after the cleanup. The event is open to everyone, though children must be properly supervised.
Prizes will be awarded to individuals and teams for various categories, including the best-dressed participants and the group that makes the most significant impact. “Just seeing a visible difference in the community is our biggest goal this year,” said Peralto. Before and after photos will be taken to highlight the transformation achieved through the community’s efforts.
Past cleanups have seen hundreds of participants, and there is hope to revive the engagement with schools and local organizations this year. “We had a lot of engagement with schools and stuff in the past, and we want to be able to bring that back out again this year,” Peralto said. The event’s success relies on the collective effort of the community, making it a vital initiative for Kitimat.
To join the cleanup, go to the Riverlodge community room on Sept. 14, at 9 a.m. Peralto encourages people to preregister at kitimatrecycle.ca.