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Get ready to pitch-in Whistler

Annual spring clean-up day approaching
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LITTER GITTER Whistler volunteers traditionally collect just under two metric tonnes of garbage from Whistler's roadsides with the annual Pitch-In Day this year set for April 27. Photo submitted By Fairmont Chateau

April 27 is Pitch-In Day in Whistler.

The annual tradition of grabbing some garbage bags and picking up litter from the side of Whistler's road network dates back to 1989. Volunteers have been taking to the streets every spring during National Pitch-In Week clean up as the snow makes its annual retreat back up the mountains that surround the resort.

Last year on Pitch-In Day community group members, sports associations, neighbours and residents worked together to collect 1.9 metric tonnes of garbage from roadsides throughout the community.

Whistler's municipal roads department will host the event by organizing groups and volunteers. Those who want to help are asked to meet at the Public Works Yard at 8001 Highway 99 between 8 and 9 a.m.

Members of the roads staff will take the litterbags collected by the volunteers and sort the recyclable materials.

"Join us on April 27 and help make this the best Pitch-In Day ever," said Andrew Finnerty, the Pitch-In Day volunteer coordinator through a news release. "There are many groups you could join to help out. If you feel strongly about the local environment, help out AWARE (the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment)."

Pitch-In Week is a national initiative that has been ongoing for 46 years. More than 622,000 Canadians get involved each year.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and the District of Squamish also have events planned. The SLRD is holding a 20-minute Clean Sweep event near the SLRD office in Pemberton on Earth Day (April 22) while Squamish is holdings its annual Fastest Picker competition on April 24.