What Are The Green Bags On The Side Of The Road?

Vermont is known nationwide for its gorgeous natural landscape – we welcome 13 million tourists annually, from leaf-peepers to downhill skiers. With our lush farmland and rolling hills, it’s not hard to see how Vermont earned its reputation as the “Green Mountain State.” But it’s not without effort: every year, on the first Saturday of May, residents far and wide come together to clean up the charming state we call home. 

The first-ever Green Up Day was held in 1970, and in 1979, Green Up Vermont became a non-profit organization dedicated to “keeping Vermont beautiful.” Today, it continues to be a lovely annual reminder of just how dedicated Vermont's communities are to protecting what we love most about it.

In 2021, nearly 22,000 volunteers gathered around the state with green trash bags in hand to keep litter in check. Their efforts cleared over 418 tons of trash and over 16,250 discarded tires off Vermont land. With over 40 local and national corporate partners, Green Up Vermont has made major strides in spreading awareness about keeping our parks, neighborhoods, and roadsides clean and green.

Over the years, Green Up Vermont has made many efforts to make participation as seamless as possible. On their website, you’ll find detailed, town-specific information about how to get involved – find your town’s details here! You can also download Green Up Vermont’s app to plan and track your clean-up route and locate trash near you. It’s never too early to encourage community engagement and environmental awareness: get the kids involved with Green Up Vermont’s annual poster art, writing, video, and jingle contests, open to all ages. While the deadlines passed for this year, it’s never too early to prepare for next year’s contest!

Where will you be on Green Up Day?

Middlebury

If you’re spending your Green Up Day in Middlebury, start with one of Haymaker Bun Co.’s famous OG cinnamon buns and a chai latte to fuel the day’s activities. Head over to the Town Clerk’s office to pick up your green trash bags and start your way back towards your neighborhood, Otter View Park, or Middlebury Falls to get your clean-up started. After dropping off your gathered litter at the parking lot by the town pool, enjoy a BLT at Rosie’s to celebrate a job well done.

Hinesburg

If you’ll be in Hinesburg, pick up a Scrambler from Parkside Café and pick up your bags at Town Hall before noon – or grab your bags in advance any day that week! Clean up around your neighborhood and fill the rest of your trash bags at Lyman Meadows Park, then mark your map where you’ve cleaned. Leave your full bags roadside and head over to Papa Nick’s for your choice of fried seafood and a tall glass of water to rehydrate.

Burlington

If you’re in Burlington, snag a Triple B at Burlington Bagel before stopping by St. Joseph’s School before noon to grab your green bags. Gather litter around your neighborhood and City Hall Park before dropping your bags at any major roadside and enjoying an early dinner at El Cortijo. 

Stay Safe this Green Up Day

No matter where you Green Up, staying safe is top priority.
Here are some important tips to help you make the most of your Green Up Day.

1. Tie up full bags
   Don’t undo all your hard work and keep litter contained.
2. Wear gloves
   Protect your hands from dirt and germs.
3. Check for ticks
   Directly after Greening Up, make sure to conduct a full-body tick check.
4. Avoid needles
   Don’t touch needles or any sharp objects.
5. Practice road safety
   Always face oncoming traffic when cleaning up roadside.
6. Keep track of collections
   Collection data is crucial in helping Green Up Vermont receive grants and other funding to keep clean-up efforts going. Keep track of how many bags and tires you’ve collected, how many volunteers you worked with, and how many miles of land you cleaned.

Green Up Day is an excellent display of what we love most about Vermont: incredible communities coming together to keep our beloved Green Mountain State green.

Find your little green slice of Vermont today!