On Tuesday, community members, Green Up Day leaders, local business officials, and Vermont students celebrated a significant achievement: setting the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Pledges Received for Trash Clean Up in 24 Hours.’
Erin Desautels, a board member of Green Up Vermont, noted that the previous record required at least 5,000 sign-ups. “On May 4th, Vermonters, along with visitors from nearby states and even distant countries, came together to gather 6,833 pledges, making history for our brave little state,” she said.
More than 250 towns across Vermont participated in the clean-up event, resulting in a 30% increase in turnout statewide, with an estimated 1.3 million pounds of trash collected. Eliza Minnucci, a teacher and volunteer town coordinator in Tunbridge, led her town with 286 signatures, the highest from any location.
“This past spring, when I announced the World Record attempt at our town meeting, I’ve never seen a list of names grow so fast. There have been interesting petitions before, but none as popular as the promise to pick up trash,” she remarked.
Eighth-grader Adelyn Ophardt from Essex Middle School expressed her enthusiasm for Green Up Day, noting her artwork, which won a contest, will feature on the 2024 promotional posters. “They suggested an out-of-this-world theme, so I depicted Vermont at the center of the planet,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Green Up Vermont officials and students are preparing for the 2025 clean-up efforts. While organizers do not plan to attempt breaking their own record next year, they are encouraging other states to challenge their title, emphasizing that spreading the message of environmental cleanup is ultimately the real victory.
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