Leslie Avila has an objective that may seem small, but could make a huge impact.
“One of my biggest goals is to get people to care about putting trash in trash cans,” she said.
If people did that, the environment would reap all kinds of great benefits, Avila explained. Our waterways, food, air quality and soil would all be impacted positively.
Avila is working towards that goal one trash cleanup at a time with her group Capital Area Cleanup. The group, which started about four years ago, has worked to beautify the greater Harrisburg area, as well as educate participants on how to better care for the earth.
Avila, along with co-leaders, Tyler Vaupel and Jazmine Soberanis, kicked off their 2023 cleanups this spring, giving local residents monthly opportunities to volunteer and make a difference in their community.
“Our actions shape the world around us,” Avila said. “We are cleaning up to make our planet better.”
Capital Area Cleanups are different than your average trash cleanup, Avila said, as they include a lot of environmental education. The team instructs volunteers on the difference between waste materials and whether they should be recycled, composted or trashed. The group will then separate them out.
The cleanups take place in Harrisburg and the surrounding communities, with the group beautifying city streets, alleys and even creeks.
In May, the group hosted an event in conjunction with Juneteenth HBG’s weeks-long festivities, at which participants heard from Capital Region Water, Harrisburg Public Works and local activists on environmental topics.
Harrisburg resident Donovan Bailey started participating in the trash cleanups, as well as providing graphic design services for the group, within the past year. When he started volunteering, he didn’t know much about environmental issues, he admitted, but that quickly changed.
“I brought no knowledge to the first day, but she [Avila] has been teaching us every time,” Bailey said. “It’s made me want to take care of the earth and learn more.”
He said he since has invited friends to join the group and wants to continue spreading awareness of the need.
“It’s been nice to see the area I grew up in get cleaned up,” Bailey said. “Knowing there’s a change happening and I’ve helped make it—it warms my heart.”
Why is picking up trash so important to Avila?
It’s more than just a way to make the neighborhoods look nicer, although that’s a huge benefit, as well. A trash-ridden environment can affect the soil, allowing chemicals to harm plants, Avila said. It can also impact the sewer system, making water more difficult to clean and damaging the infrastructure. Trash can also harm wildlife—critters on land and in water.
Capital Area Cleanup volunteers have been surprised by how much trash they encounter on their walks, Avila said. But it’s that awareness that she hopes will drive people to want to make a change.
She’s also noticed the impact on the community as the group has remained consistent over the years.
“People are excited to see everyone so dedicated,” she said.
For more information on Capital Area Cleanup, visit their Facebook page.
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