Of all the reasons to love Vermont, Green Up Day has to be one of the biggest! Green Up Day is one of the most revered traditions in Vermont. It’s a rite of spring (second only to Town Meeting). It’s a way to connect to friends and neighbors and share in cleaning up after a long winter.
Locally, it’s become more than a ritual; it’s emblematic of the care our community provides to stewarding the roadsides, but also the rec trails, the byways and the river banks thanks to the Green Valley Rally, instituted by the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce four years ago.
The first Green Up Day took place in 1970, after being signed into law by the late Governor Deane Davis. That first event the interstates were closed for that first event and organizers found that 90% of the litter collected was beer bottles (this led to Vermont’s bottle redemption bill).
Over the decades, it’s become a tradition with families, neighbors and friends claiming specific sections of road or targeting specific issues to clean up. In 2024, Vermont set a Guinness Book of World Records record for the number of people who pledged to participate in 24 hours. This year, organizers estimated that over 400 tons (800,000 pounds) of trash was collected. Tires were recycled, metal and debris were removed. Trash in the ubiquitous bright green Green Up Days bags was gathered by town road crews and others and residual tires and over-sized trash were collected later in the week.
This year there were concerted efforts along trouble spots in Warren (Plunkton Road) and Moretown (Route 100B), where residents started early and continued late to address a couple of egregious issues. That speaks to a certain civic pride in our green hills and our landscape – a ‘not on my watch’ mentality that is enviable, tenacious, and very DIY.
And scofflaws beware. These folks mean business. Don’t be repeat offenders. And speaking of scofflaws, far too much of the trash that is collected is still beer bottles and cans. That’s wrong folks. Also wrong is picking up your dog pooped in a bag and leaving it on the side of the road.
Thanks to all who turned out on Saturday and in the days before and after to make Vermont shine.
