Langley Township residents are invited to honour Earth Day April 22 by helping clean their part of the planet.
The fifth annual Clean Up Langley Day is Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Clean Up Langley Day is a great opportunity to beautify our community, recognize our volunteers, and remind offenders that we will not tolerate litter or illegal dumping in our Township,” said solid waste coordinator Tanya Drouillard.
Participants can choose to work in a specific neighbourhood or park, and all necessary supplies, including gloves, safety vests, garbage pickers, and garbage bags, will be provided.
People are asked to register at tol.ca/adopt, email adopt@tol.ca, or phone 604-532-7300 so they can get the supplies they need for Saturday’s event.
“We are always inspired by the residents who volunteer their free time to help keep our Township beautiful and healthy,” she said. “Combatting litter and illegal dumping is a community effort and year after year hundreds of residents have stepped up to the task with enthusiasm.”
Last year, 200 volunteers in 15 groups collected 2,000 kilograms of waste from local streets, trails, and waterways – the highest participation and tonnage of waste collected so far.
Langley City
McBurney Plaza will be the staging area for Langley City’s Pitch-In Day clean up on April 23.
The public is invited to take part in the spring cleaning exercise that runs 9 a.m. to noon.
Drop in the barrel
Langley City is also helping residents be more eco-friendly by holding a rain barrel sale May 9.
Residents who want to get a rain barrel must sign up by April 24 through the website www.enviroworld.ca/langley.
Collecting rainwater reduces the amount of treated water that is used in yards and gardens. Rainwater improves the soils pH balance as well.
The 55-gallon barrels cost $55, including taxes, and include installation instructions, spigots, screws, an overflow hoses to link to other barrels, a clamp and childproof lids.
Waste away
The people who took part in the Upcycling Design Challenge and creatively used waste to make art and useful objects are in the running for $1,300 in prizes.
The public can see the creations for the fourth annual Upcyling Design Challenge daily until May 1 at Willowbrook Shopping Centre and can vote on the People’s Choice winner.
Everyone who votes will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $100 Willowbrook Gift Card, and the artist with the most votes will be honoured during an awards reception, along with winners in several other categories. Winners are announced April 28. The People’s Choice winner gets a $500 gift card. Prizes for the other categories range from $150 for youth to $300 for best in show.
The annual competition is a collaboration between Langley Township and the Langley Arts Council with Willowbrook providing space for the displays.
Learn more at tol.ca/upcycling.
E-waste away
Old computer equipment, cords for lord knows what devices, broken and outdated electronics, and more can be taken to the E-Waste Challenge April 23 at Willowbrook Shopping Centre.
Willowbrook has partnered with Maple Leaf Disposal Ltd. and will host a one-day Drive-Up & Drop-Off e-waste event April 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Electronic waste contain precious metals, glass, plastics and other valuable materials, and reusing them reduces the need to mine or fabricate raw materials. Rather than just disposing of them, we can reuse and recover this valuable material,” said Bonney Rempel, Bentall’s regional director of Marketing Retail Services West.
People are asked to wipe confidential information before dropping off electronics. Go to the southeast corner of the mall, between Sears and the Bay.
Everyone who drops off e-waste is entered into a draw for a TV valued at $1,000.
Tree you there
Arbour Day moves to South Langley for 2016.
Each year the events to spotlight the importance of trees is held in a different Township greenspace.
This year’s activities are at Noel Booth Park, 202nd Street and 32nd Avenue. Events run 1 to 3 p.m. on April 24.
The 14th annual event will feature interactive displays and activities, facepainting, and a chance for kids to climb a tree. Guests can take home a seedling and a bag of compost, and those attending can make a contribution to the park and the environment by planting shrubs and plants.
Admission is free.
Arbour Day is also used as an opportunity to plant commemmorative trees to recognize the legacies of community members who have died. Township council will plant trees to honour:
• Dale Ball – Brookswood businessman and community volunteer
• Judy Benson – Langley pioneer
• David and Pat Esworthy – equestrians
• Larry Hope – established Hope Redwoods Natural Area
• Bea Jackman – Aldergrove historian
• Freda Lynch – Langley pioneer
• Harry Hunt – Aldergrove Star photographer
• Diane Pona – former Langley School District trustee
• Glenn Ryder – environmentalist
• Drew Waska – community volunteer