Linda Simpson has heard the complaints.
Simpson, who serves as the chair of Cambridge City Green, said this year there seems to be more people taking notice of the amount of garbage around the city.
"I've heard a lot of complaints about how much more garbage there is this spring," Simpson said.
"The city always seems to accumulate litter around bushes and fences. One of the biggest culprits is the contents of blue boxes being blown around."
On April 20, residents are being asked to take action in cleaning up community spaces and neighbourhoods through the annual Cambridge Community Clean Up event ahead of Earth Day on April 22.
Participants can go to any of the Idea Exchange locations in the city to pick up large and small bags, cotton gloves and garbage pickers before heading out. Those who can't take part on the day can still grab supplies and clean up at another time.
In fact, Simpson hopes the day serves as motivation to keep the community clean all year long.
"When people see the difference in their neighbourhood and local park after being cleaned up, I think the majority prefer the cleaned state," she said.
"I think people like to take pride in their properties and that extends out into the surrounding area as well. When people see other residents out in the parks filling up the red bags with garbage, it's quite motivating to join in."
Once the clean up is complete, the garbage bags can be left by the side of the road.
On the small bags, a QR code can be scanned that leads to a reporting form. Once filled out, the phone will geolocate to inform city staff where to pick them up. The QR code will also be on a card given out when supplies are distributed.
Anyone without a cellphone can call 519-623-1340, email the information from a computer via [email protected] or submit it through cambridge.ca/CleanUpRequest.
"I love seeing the piles of red bags all along the roadways and hearing the honking of appreciative people who are driving by," Simpson said.
"I hope community members will realize that by working in numbers, we can easily take our city back to the cleaner state that most of us prefer and can have pride in."
