Signups sought to ‘Pick it Up’ in biggest-ever litter cleanup

Published 1:58 pm Friday, March 25, 2022

Online signup is underway for people, businesses and service groups to help pick up litter in Calcasieu Parish.

The “Pick It Up Spring Cleanup,” coordinated by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, is aimed at cleaning up designated areas in Calcasieu Parish and will take place the first three weeks in April.

Volunteers are asked to host a litter pickup any day between April 1-23. Free trash bags and cleanup gear will be provided. Times and locations are flexible.

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The three-week effort is already the largest litter-pickup event in Southwest Louisiana history in terms of the number of municipalities that are partnering for it. Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Vinton, DeQuincy and Iowa will have areas available for cleanup as well as the unincorporated areas of Calcasieu Parish.

“This is a great opportunity for residents, businesses and local organizations to get involved and show pride in their community,” said Parish Litter Manager Wyvette Pryor-Cousin. “All of us want to live in a clean, litter-free community, and the Spring Cleanup is one way residents can band together to beautify the areas around them.”

For more information or to register your group, visit pickitupcalcasieu.com or call 337-493-LITR (5487).

Surrounding events include “Love the Boot Week” April 18-24 — when people all over the state will take steps to clean up their communities and promote sustainable living—and Earth Day on April 22.

Litter and illegal dumping are serious issues in Calcasieu Parish. The parish has stepped up enforcement to target these issues, with fines ranging from $250-$5,000.

“The Police Jury is committed to ending litter in Calcasieu Parish,” said Police Jury President Tony Stelly. “This event is a chance for us to come together to help make Calcasieu a better place to live.”