When one thinks about the OLG and the slots at the Grand River Raceway, shoreline cleanup is not the first thing that comes to mind.
But the local Green Team was on hand at Bissell Park recently to change that opinion and leave their community a better place.
As in the past, the OLG Slots Grand River Green Team took part in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, an annual event encouraging Canadians to cleanup their community by removing litter from the shoreline.
Volunteers, known as the Bucket Brigade, arrived with large buckets for toting their “treasures” along the way
Green team leader Marilyn Thorogood pointed out that OLG is a sponsor for this year’s shoreline cleanup.
“At our site, we’ve participated in this for about four years now.”
Green team member Charlotte Hodgson added “We have a very strong green team at our site, and this is an extension of the work we already do. It’s been a great plus not only for us but the local community.”
She said that locally, the Green Team does a really great job.
“We look at recycling items from coffee trays, batteries, to light bulbs. The group also hosts litterless lunches and looking at ways to decrease energy usage, decreasing paper usage.
Thorogood added that part of the event also includes filling out data sheets to describe what was picked up at each event.
“The data sheets are generated by The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup which started in Vancouver.”
Thorogood said there are different categories, including an area to include information specific to the location.
She explained “a major concern in our area might not be the same as in other areas.”
As volunteers began their work, they carried separate buckets for recyclable items, garbage and this year, for cigarette butts.
“We found garbage bags are great, but if there is broken glass or glass bottles, it is not so great tossing them into a garbage bag. There was a risk factor for someone to hurt themselves.”
“We came up with the buckets, something we recycle from work, and we’ve been using them from all of our cleanups to separate the recyclables.”
Thorogood explained that if there are whole bottles, they’d be taken back to get the refund.
“The [collection of] cigarette butts is new this year.”
The butts will be shipped to a recycling centre in Toronto.
This year 11 were out which Thorogood considered an average turnout.
“They are all volunteers,” Thorogood said.
Hodgson added the work at Bissell Park involves pickup of items which are not supposed to be there – “items which nature did not leave behind – we are taking out of the park.”
Whether it be bottles or cigarette butts “You name it and we’ve found it in the park.”
“Our bucket brigade is a great initiative brought in by the green team. We recycle the buckets in a much easier way while maintaining the health and safety of the employees.”
Hodgson noted that all OLG sites adopt an area near them in the local community to take care of.
“I think it’s a great initiative to be involved in and it is an extension of what our green team does everyday and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Thorogood added the work is being done in partnership with the Township of Centre Wellington.
Thorogood noted the township provided garbage bags to be used for the event.
“They’ve always been very helpful and supportive.”
They also do a special pickup to haul out the materials. The bucket brigade is looking for litter that doesn’t belong here. “People sometimes forget to take stuff home with them. Hopefully we can help make the river edge a healthier place.”
But things are looking better in the park.
Thorogood said “people are getting much better about respecting the park. With the work done in this particular park, I think people are taking good care of it.”
