Did you know?  One average fast food Styrofoam container thrown out a car window will take 1 million years to decompose? Fast food containers and waste make up 33% of all litter. One aluminum can will take 200-500 years to break down. Littered cigarette filters contain toxic chemicals that leak into the air and water. A wool sock will take 1 year to decompose. Neither gender nor ethnicity are factors increasing likelihood of littering. The above facts were taken…

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  During this week, volunteers will join together to pick up litter in Rochester. Why is there a need? Maybe Rochester seems like a really clean city to you? In fact, compared with other locations, it is very clean but it takes our constant care. Last year, Rochester’s first A Litter Bit Better! event contributed to the collection of 21,500 pounds of litter by over 1,400 volunteers from public lands throughout the City of Rochester. That’s a lot of trash!…

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Alicia Cowl’s Grand Prize winning masterpiece. Announcing the Grand Prize winner for the 2008 A Litter Bit Better! Poster Contest – Alicia Cowl and her “Trasketball” picture! We challenged all fourth grade students in Rochester to draw a brightly colored picture that displays: Why it is important to not litter How you will make Rochester A Litter Bit Better! There were so many fun and colorful entries that it was a tough choice but our team of judges narrowed it…

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  Despite the misty skies and soggy ground, intrepid volunteers started gathering litter on day one of A Litter Bit Better! 2008. Look and see some photos taken on the first day of pick up. Rochester neighbors have been busy!  There are still areas that need to be adopted, so it’s not too late for people to register; the event continues through next Saturday, April 26. People can pick their area by viewing the maps posted on-line, pick a collection…

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  This Mayo High School student effort of over 1,000 students worked together to clean up Mayo High school grounds, Bear Creek Park, and woods along the creek behind the school.  Tom Olson, Assistant Principal, along with Kevin Landherr, a Science Teacher, coordinated the effort. Over 7 hours, heaps of trash were collected and students enthusiastically commented on the quantity of recycling materials they collected, as well as what a great opportunity it was to better their community. Hats off…

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  The Goal of A Litter Bit Better More and more people picking up less and less litter every year.   Why A Litter Bit Better Works The steering committee is a cooperative effort between individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the local government. A litter-free city benefits all parts of the community. The steering committee is a group of highly dedicated people who are passionate about the mission. The event runs for a whole week, allowing volunteer groups to schedule…

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  A Litter Bit Better was featured in the April issue of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce’s Advantage member magazine.  The below article was written by Brian Olson, the Communications Director at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. The cover photo was taken with A Litter Bit Better Steering Committee members by Lower Photography and Studio. Member Spotlight: Help Make Rochester a Litter Bit Better Early last year, two citizens came to Mayor Ardell Brede with the idea of…

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Sandy Chang and her group made this park just A Litter Bit Better! in April 2008. During April 19-26, 2008, more than 4,000 Rochester volunteers collected over 12 tons of litter. Our thanks to all of you who pitched in to make Rochester A Litter Bit Better! Waste Collected Bottles, cans, paper, plastic, cigarette butts, and food containers/wrappers were the most commonly reported types of litter. There were several reports of personal hygeine products being common. In one collection area,…

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  On Tuesday, April 14, Mrs. Robbins’ fourth grade class at Rochester Central Lutheran had the treat of having a pizza party with Mayor Brede. One of their classmates, Kayla Manuell was the Grand Prize winner of the 2009 A Litter Bit Better! poster contest.Kayla’s poster was a colorful sunflower masterpiece that said “clean up Rochester.” You can see her winning poster and others here. There are still areas to be adopted. So if you haven’t already, be sure to…

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Farmers Insurance – Steve Strauss Agency volunteers collect litter at Ben Franklin School. Many neighbors, clubs, and churches across Rochester spent some time during the first weekend of the 2009 Litter Bit Better pickup scouring parks and neighborhoods for trash. There are still areas to be adopted. So if you haven’t already, be sure to register online today or call 254-8169. Help us make Rochester just A Litter Bit Better! Submitted by Rene Jones Lafflam on Sun, 2009-04-19 15:52.