Usually, by May 1 the Clean Communities Advisory Board is ready to publish the results of Volunteer Litter Cleanup Week: how many bags of litter were filled, how many spots were cleaned, how many people turned out. This year, as of May 2 we are just in the middle of Volunteer Litter Cleanup Week, which began April 29 and runs through May 6. And, because on Saturday, April 29 it rained and rained, most of the people who came by to collect their cleanup supplies have not even started their cleanups yet.

Still, kudos to the hardy groups that went out and cleaned their spots in the rain. Based on the reports that came back: two members of the Vega Family, two members of the Nunez Family, eight members of the NJ Buddhist Culture Center, eleven members of Girl Scout Troop 65586, thirteen members of the South Plainfield High School Environmental Science Club, and one member of the Palmer Family.

Regardless of whether they had already cleaned up, all who came for bags and gloves were invited to come back at noon for the free Pickup Picnic. The CCAB thanks Hometown Heros for donating a platter of their delicious deli sandwiches, and Ciccio’s Pizza for a substantial discount on their pies. Pari Patel and Melissa Leon-Tamara, members of the High School Environmental Science Club, addressed the group on the reasons why plastic litter is so bad for the environment and showed photos of some areas where nobody had bothered to pick up the litter. Other members of the Club ran the Prize Wheel quiz game, giving out reusable drink bottles and bags in exchange for correct answers to environmentally themed questions.

Last year’s spring cleanup cleared 3 tons of trash from our roads and open spaces. How much did we find this year? Watch this space for data updates.