MANITOULIN—The 2025 Island-Wide Garbage Cleanup Event was a tremendous success! Liam Campbell, of Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA), said the event was again a triumph “thanks to the incredible dedication of our volunteers and community supporters. Over the course of the event, 650 participants came together to remove an impressive 277 bags of garbage from approximately 224 kilometres of roadsides, streams, shorelines and public spaces across the Island.”
“We had more people take part this year, and more garbage collected this year, compared to 2024,” Mr. Campbell said. “There was also an increase in the distance covered by the participants this year.”
Mr. Campbell noted the record amount of garbage collected in this annual event was 2023, when 550 bags of garbage was collected.
“A special congratulations goes out to our Garbage Cleanup Heroes, Jordyn Green and Brooklyn MacPherson who went out to collect garbage on seven days. They are now back-to-back championships in this category.”
The duo of Jordyn Green and Brooklyn MacPherson also won the tallest cup stack challenge. “Jordyn and Brooklyn won again this year, collecting enough coffee cups to be stacked about three feet tall,” said Mr. Campbell.
Central Manitoulin Public School in Mindemoya collected a total of 48 bags of garbage to win the School Cleanup Award, while the Community Cleanup Award goes to Central Manitoulin, which collected 102 bags of garbage.
The Little Current Lions Club won the Business Cleanup Award, collecting a total of 48 bags of garbage.
“Congratulations also go out to Keith McAllister, our overall draw winner,” said Mr. Campbell. For his efforts Mr. McAllister won a Ramakko’s Sports gift certificate, a t-shirt, a Breakaway Sports gift card and hat.
“We’re grateful to Buzwah Toys and Variety, Breakaway Sports and Cycle, and Ramakko’s for generously donating this year’s prizes,” said Mr. Campbell.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and to the local businesses who helped make this event possible,” continued Mr. Campbell. “Together, we’re making a cleaner, greener Island for everyone to enjoy.”
