Volunteers collect 2,465 pounds of litter at “Spring Cleanup” event

On Saturday May 12th, 294 volunteers scoured South Tahoe neighborhoods to help clean up litter and kick off the summer with a sparkling clean town. The groups of volunteers covered nineteen different locations and gathered an estimated 2,465 pounds of trash and debris from our environment.

Volunteers took to the streets along Lake Tahoe Blvd and around Stateline, Ski Run, Bijou, Al Tahoe, Rufus Allen, Tahoe Sierra/Sierra Tract, Tahoe Island, Gardner Mountain, and the “Y”. Some neighborhoods had multiple groups fanning out to cover more ground.

The overwhelming majority of the litter collected was single-use plastics, food packaging, straws, and cigarette butts, but volunteers reported finding a variety of other items as well: clothing items, diapers, alcohol bottles, ski bindings, dog poop bags, car parts, styrofoam coolers, and even a toilet scrubber.

The event was coordinated by the Clean Tahoe Program and the City of South Lake Tahoe, with the help of signature sponsor Harrah’s/Harveys Lake Tahoe. In addition, a number of local businesses and organizations participated by leading a cleanup site or donating raffle prizes.

Now in its third year, the Spring Cleanup event is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when our community comes together with a common goal.