For the month of April and May, residents of Troy have a chance to contribute to the efforts to make the city a clean, sustainable community.

According to Melissa Sanders, City of Troy planning and zoning administrator, this is the second year for the City-Wide Volunteer Clean-up Campaign – Team Up to Clean Up.

“The main reason Keep Troy Beautiful has clean-up efforts and programs is that litter invites more litter,” she said. “Once litter has accumulated along a road or in a city, people are more likely to keep littering. These efforts and programs help educate the participants of the programs, show others we care about our city, and hopefully send a message to stop littering.”

Sanders said the campaign will bring local residents together to benefit the community. From April 1 to May 31, individuals, businesses and organizations, can volunteer to pick up litter in the city.

Last year, seven teams participated in the clean up effort, Sanders said. A total of 77 volunteers picked up over 28 bags of litter.

“The Team Up to Clean Up campaign is a great example of what can be accomplished when people work together,” said Mayor Jason A. Reeves. “Together, we can bring about lasting change in an effort to make Troy the best place to live, work, and play.”

The organizers will provide free trash bags and litter grabbers for registered teams. Supplies will be available at Troy City Hall during confirmed pick up times.

The first ten teams to register will also receive a case of Niagara Water, courtesy of Niagara Water and Lowe’s through their partnership with Keep America Beautiful.

Moreover, registered volunteers are eligible to win a $100 gift card, courtesy of Troy Bank & Trust Co.

“It is important that our events, such as the Team Up to Clean Up campaign, work to build the next generation of environmental stewards,” Sanders said. “Through these cleanup efforts, volunteers young and old will be empowered to take action in preserving our local environment.”

She said the presence of litter in a community poses negative effects on the quality of life, property values, and housing prices.

Preserving a clean, sustainable community starts with small actions, Sanders said. One could use trash and recycling receptacles instead of littering. Windblown litter could be prevented by securing trash in a plastic bag and then store it in a trash can with a tight fitting lid.

Participation in anti-litter programs such as the Team Up to Clean Up campaign would also make a difference.

For registration and more information about this year’s Team Up to Clean Up campaign, call Melissa Sanders at 334.670.6058 or visit www.troyal.gov.