Euclid emerges victorious; over 350 total bags of trash collected by volunteers at ‘The Big Clean 2019’

The third annual Big Clean was a success, with over 350 bags of trash collected on Saturday, April 6th, 2019. Clean up supplies are available through Keep Euclid Beautiful for residents wishing to make a difference any time of the year!

Hundreds of Euclid and Collinwood residents took to the streets, parks, tree lawns, and highway ramps on Saturday, April 6th  for ‘The Big Clean 2019’ - the third annual cleanup competition between the two communities. 

Euclid was once again victorious, although by a much smaller margin than in previous years, picking up two dozen more bags than our neighbors to the west. In total, over 350 bags of trash (and tires, signs, car parts and even a 1980’s prom photograph) were collected in just a few hours. 

Ward 3 Councilperson Taneika Hill is a returning participant to the now annual event. “It’s not the amount of trash that we pick up every year that astonishes me, but the amount of dedicated volunteers that are willing to be a part of the change they want to see”, she remarked. 

Councilperson Hill participated in the cleanup with fellow Council members Brian Moore (Ward 2) and Christine McIntosh (Ward 5). Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail and multiple city employees volunteered to assist Keep Euclid Beautiful with the registration, cleanup, and after party at Villa Angela St Joseph High School (VASJ). 

‘The Big Clean 2019’ was a partnership of the City of Euclid, Keep Euclid Beautiful and the Euclid Beach Adopt-A-Beach Team with support from Greater Collinwood Development Corporation and Cleveland Councilperson Michael Polensek. 

This year’s event marked the first citywide “Zero Waste” event in partnership with Rust Belt Riders, who educated VASJ students and event attendees about reducing waste and composting. We produced just one large bag of trash during the event by using compostable plates, cups and other supplies. 

Thank you to the many volunteers who made ‘The Big Clean 2019’ a success, and especially to our sponsors who provided monetary and in-kind donations to support the marketing, event costs, and raffle prizes for participants. 

Our sponsors this year included: the Ohio EPA, VASJ, Jakprints, radio station WINT 1330AM/101.5FM, Ganley Subaru Wickliffe, The Alliance for the Great Lakes, Lakeshore Coffee House and many others!

If you participated in the cleanup, please share your photographs on social media using the hashtag #thebigclean2019 and/or by sending photographs to keepeuclidbeautiful@cityofeuclid.com

Clean up supplies are available to Euclid residents wishing to make a difference in the community year round. Please contact Linda Beck at the email address above for more information.