Residents are encouraged to participate in Green Deer 2015, an annual City cleanup that runs until June 14th.

The campaign officially kicked off in the City on Monday.

“The Green Deer campaign is about beautifying our City and using the positive actions of the majority to cancel out the careless actions of the few who littered over the winter months,” said Suzanne Jubb, City of Red Deer community and program facilitator.

This year the campaign kicked off with a free barbecue on Monday. Special Green Deer garbage bags were provided for participants.

The campaign is looking for volunteers from all areas of the City to register to help clean up. Those wanting to participate in the Green Deer program can register in by calling 403-309-8411 or visiting the Recreation Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre or Collicutt Centre.

Every group registered is automatically entered into a draw to win a barbecue and a barbecue party. A Green Deer toolkit is available on the City’s web site for groups wishing to issue cleanup challenges to other community groups. More information can be found at www.reddeer.ca/greendeer.

This year, the Green Deer campaign will repeat the Cigarette Butt Awareness program, which educates the public that although each cigarette butt is small, the cumulative effect is large.

“Many people don’t realize that cigarette butts do not disappear, and they are not biodegradable,” said Jubb. “In fact, the buildup of plastic filters and chemicals from cigarette butts is toxic to the animals, plants, and water around us.”

Jubb added improperly disposed cigarette butts account for almost 30% of the litter collected during the annual City cleanup events. To help reduce cigarette butt litter, 1,000 pocket ashtrays will also be given away throughout the Green Deer campaign.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com