This article was written by Avery Ryan, an editor for the U-32 Chronicle.
Last May, Vermonters set a world record. On May 4th, 2024, Green Up Vermont worked to collect a record-breaking 5,000 pledges in one day to pick up trash throughout the state. 24 hours later, they had received over 6,800. That Saturday, the state saw more than 400 tons of trash picked up from roadways by over 30,000 volunteers (Green Up Vermont).
This year’s Green Up Day statistics have yet to be released, but Vermonters’ commitment to this tradition is ever-present. Last Wednesday, Governor Phil Scott spoke at U-32 to commemorate the tradition and inspire citizens to make change in their community by greening up the area. “If each of us does our part, a lot will get done,” he said.
Vermont is the first and only state to implement such a widespread environmental clean up effort. Even the governor and cabinet themselves go out to walk Vermont roads and pick up trash on the first Saturday in May. This tradition predates Earth Day, and was implemented in April of 1970 by Governor Deane Davis.
Interstate 89 was closed for the first Green Up Day in April 1970 (Credit: Green Up Vermont)
“Doing good is contagious,” Scott said of the trash pickup efforts during Green Up Day. He also applied this sentiment to the work the Vermont community can do in general. “Giving back isn’t limited to one day… it should be part of who we are every day,” he said.
Scott acknowledged where our national community stands, “There is a lot of unrest throughout our country… we have become so polarized in this world we live in,” he said. The majority of the US population tend to be in the middle, it’s the extremes that are the most vocal and get the most attention, according to Scott. Green Up Day is an example of how people—no matter their background—can come together to reach a common goal.
Governor Scott speaks to the U-32 community on Wednesday, April 30th. (Credit: Jonah Edson)
In the face of political divisiveness, Scott emphasized listening to one another. “We need to take the time to treat each other better, just treat others the way we want to be treated,” he said. The positive change Green Up Day exhibits is just one example of the impact a community can make when people dedicate their time to doing something they know will have an impact.
“Lead by example, people will follow,” said Scott.
