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CleanPlanet Day Vancouver (October): Weeding, Planting, and (Almost) Solving the Trash Problem

Writer's picture: Sean PotterSean Potter



In October, Amy and I chose to take Clean Planet Day to the next level and get a little dirt under our nails.  We managed to rally a crew of local high school students to help – shout out to Churchill High School for being so responsive!

 

Amy had a poster ready to go—voila!—and just like that, it was up at the school. Two days later, we had seven Grade 10 students showing up to get to work with us.

We dove straight into the weeds—literally. We pulled out the park’s nemesis Morning glory weed, and some overgrown shrubs. Then we began planting - 150 times, in fact.. a mix of grasses and small trees, all generously donated by the city’s nursery.

 

Honestly, there’s something super satisfying about seeing a group of teens—who probably never thought they’d spend their afternoon pulling weeds—get into it like it was the most normal thing in the world.

 

The real highlight for me, though? The people. It can be bit of a gamble when you organize a volunteer event, but these folks showed up with smiles, energy, and a "let’s get this done" attitude. One of my friends, who had literally never planted anything before, just picked up a shovel and went for it. No questions, no hesitation. She was like, "Well, this is happening," and that was that.

 

Now, not everything was sunshine and plant-filled glory. As the day went on, a crucial issue emerged—trash. And no, not just any trash, but dog poop bags littering the area. So, naturally, we got to brainstorming, and the idea of a garbage can popped up. Easy fix, right? Wrong. Apparently, getting a trash can installed in a public space is a bit more complicated than it sounds. We spoke to a city worker on site, who explained that it’s a whole process—petitioning for one, securing taxpayer funding, and even potentially getting a nearby business to partner up for installation. But hey, it’s a challenge we’re willing to tackle. Stay tuned.

 

Amidst all the weeding, planting, and trashcan drama, Amy was the one making sure everyone felt appreciated. She brought the vibes—tea, coffee, and even bubble tea. Plus, she whipped up professional letters for the high school students so they could get their volunteer hours documented. Honestly, I think those little touches made the day even more rewarding.

 

By the end of it, I was just… inspired. Seeing how a group of strangers could come together, share a sense of purpose, and get things done without a single complaint was a reminder that even small efforts can lead to big change. If we learned anything from this day, it’s that a little effort and a lot of community spirit can go a long way. Here's to more collaborative Clean Planet Days—and fewer dog poop bags!

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