Network of Litter Free Supply Stations Expanded
Friends is pleased to announce that we have expanded our Litter Free Supply Station network with three new stations at community-based sites across the watershed, bringing the total to 13. The new locations are: Chicago Maritime Museum in Bridgeport, Litter Free Lawndale in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, and Park 571 Eleanor Boathouse in Bridgeport.
To support and empower local residents, the year-round supply stations contain all the tools action oriented individuals or work teams need to run safe and successful community cleanups along the river system and in their neighborhoods.
The supply stations are located in community hubs such as local government offices, parks, and libraries. They are one component of our multi-pronged Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative, which works to reduce the amount of trash harming our waterways by working with community and government leaders to develop strong public policy and comprehensive litter programs.
Also available at each supply station, and on our , is our new, easy-to-use Litter Free Toolkit. Building on Friends’ years of cleanup coordination, the Toolkit provides expert guidance on planning your own a fun and impactful litter cleanup. The free Toolkit, which is also available in Spanish, details the essential point-by-point cleanup steps from how to select your site and recruit and prepare your volunteers, to event day activities.
Last year, more than 500 people utilized the supply stations at 45 litter cleanups. An analysis of supply stations users showed 43% were community groups, 32% individuals/pairs; and 18% corporate groups.
If your organization is interested in becoming a host site for a supply station contact Maggie Walker at mwalker@chicagoriver.org.
