The East Hampton Town Board passed a resolution on Sept. 5 declaring Saturday East Hampton Town Litter Cleanup Day, and the day will see cleanup efforts in each of the town’s hamlets.
There is an organization called National Cleanup Day, Christine Ganitsch of the town’s litter action committee told the board, which encourages communities to hold cleanup events on the third Saturday of September. “Study after study shows the highest indicator that someone will pick up litter is witnessing someone else picking up litter,” she said, quoting the national organization.
The committee has three messages, Ms. Ganitsch said: Secure your loads, don’t toss it, and if you see it, pick it up. “We all have skin in this game,” she said. “We can all make East Hampton litter-free by just doing these very simple things.”
The town “takes great pride in its beauty and vibrancy and supports a clean, safe environment, now and in the future,” according to the resolution passed on Sept. 5. The committee “is organizing partner litter clean-ups across the town with supporting organizations, neighborhoods, and community groups.” The board, according to the resolution, “encourages all members of our community to participate by helping to pick up litter, joining an organized cleanup, and supporting efforts to protect our land, water, and air.”
On Friday, the town trustees heard from Jaine Mehring of the Litter Action Committee, who asked for their participation and asked that participants in New York State’s Adopt a Highway program remove litter from their respective roadways on Saturday. And at the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee’s virtual meeting on Saturday, Hersey Egginton told his colleagues that the committee is partnering with the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation for a cleanup in that hamlet.
Residents can choose from multiple cleanup efforts on Saturday, with events in each hamlet. The Wainscott C.A.C.-Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation joint effort will begin at 9 a.m. at the rest stop on Montauk Highway. Participants have been asked to R.S.V.P. by sending an email to [email protected] or [email protected].
In East Hampton, those pitching in have been asked to meet in the parking lot of the town’s senior citizens center on Springs-Fireplace Road at 9 a.m., and to R.S.V.P. by sending an email to [email protected].
In Springs, enemies of litter can choose among three cleanup efforts. Corridor Watch and the hamlet’s citizens advisory committee will lead an effort meeting at Ashawagh Hall at 10 a.m. Those interested have been asked to send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]. The Accabonac Protection Committee will also lead a cleanup, with participants assembling at the parking lot at the end of Gerard Drive at 10 a.m. [email protected] is the address to R.S.V.P. The Barnes Landing Association will meet at the No. 1 Waters Edge parking lot at 11 a.m., with those planning to participate asked to send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].
In Amagansett, the Lazy Point Association will lead a cleanup at 9 a.m., with participants meeting at the Lazy Point boat launch ramp; R.S.V.P. to [email protected].
In Montauk, Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa will clean the coastline there starting at 9 a.m. Those interested in helping have been asked to send an email to [email protected]. Concerned Citizens of Montauk will also host a cleanup, with participants asked to meet at its office at 6 South Elmwood Avenue at 10 a.m. [email protected] is the email address for R.S.V.P.s. The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society will lead a third Montauk cleanup at 3 p.m., with participants meeting at the hamlet’s Long Island Rail Road station. Those planning to participate have been asked to send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].
Those interested in assisting in Saturday’s efforts can also send an email to [email protected]. But “you can just show up” to any of the cleanup efforts, Ms. Ganitsch said. She also encouraged all adopt-a-road groups to clean those streets, and asked anyone walking roadways, trails, or beaches to pick up litter wherever they find it.
