The city of Clearwater, along with environmental and tourism groups, has marshaled a volunteer army to address the aftermath of recent hurricanes through the "Big Cleanup Clearwater" initiative. Starting Friday, a record number of participants donned their vests and set about to restore the beauty of Clearwater's streets, beaches, and waterways, as reported by FOX 13 News. This effort, in its fourth year, has seen more than 16,000 pounds of litter collected from the local environment since 2021.
Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector emphasized the increased importance of this year's cleanup efforts, as he shared with WFLA News Channel 8, "With two major hurricanes in the span of two weeks, mother nature has combined with humans to make our area less beautiful." He went on to directly appeal to the local community, stating, "We can all do our part during this big clean-up week to pick it up wherever we see it." At the kickoff, nearly 250 volunteers gathered near the Bay Esplanade beach access, which is a record turnout for the event.
Keep Pinellas Beautiful is a significant partner in the initiative, with its Executive Director, Patricia DePlasco, having stated to ABC Action News, "This is so important for people to realize that we need to do this together." The cleanup event also includes awards for participants such as the youngest and oldest volunteers, social media involvement, and the "Power Picker" award for the individual who collects the most litter.
Amidst the efforts to mitigate environmental threats posed by litter, particularly to marine life, volunteers aim to not only clear debris but also to renew the image of Clearwater as a destination. “Never has it been more important than it is today," Brian Lowack, President and CEO of Visit St. Pete Clearwater, told FOX 13 News.
The Big Cleanup spans multiple sites in the city, providing more opportunities for community involvement. Mayor Rector introduced an influencer award to encourage participation. Volunteers are working together to undo environmental damage caused by both nature and human activity.
