|
|
Earth Week with Wade
Though the snow this week may have convinced us otherwise, Spring is here in Toledo. Every year, we welcome the season as a time for renewal and cleaning, and we honor our planet by celebrating Earth Day. As the snow gives way to new growth, you may notice it also reveals trash and debris left behind from the winter. As we turn our attention to spring cleaning at home, let’s not forget about cleaning up our streets, parks, and waterways.
Last week, I was joined by members of our divisions of Urban Beautification, Environmental Services, and Keep Toledo-Lucas County Beautiful to announce the installation of new “Trash Trappers” being installed in various places around the city. The goal is to remove thousands of pounds of trash, which includes metal cans, plastic, wax paper, and foam containers from the waterways leading to Lake Erie. Last year, one small City of Toledo trap captured over 155 lbs. of trash within the four months it was in the water.
This morning, I joined Keep Toledo-Lucas County Beautiful’s launch of the second annual Litter League contest at Fifth-Third Field. Litter League is a community-wide, summer-long, litter cleanup and beautification initiative that runs from June to August. Teams can register online to host cleanups, report results, and win prizes for cleaning up in their neighborhoods. Last year, 33 teams collected over 1,000 bags of trash from around the city.
Have a great Earth week, Toledo!
|
|
|
EPA Administrator Visits Toledo
Yesterday, I welcomed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan and Representative Marcy Kaptur to Toledo to highlight the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $15 billion nationwide investment to protect and improve public health by removing and replacing lead water lines. I shared the City of Toledo's ongoing efforts to replace customer lead lines using American Rescue Plan funding and reminded residents to register for the program.
|
|
|
First Drop Off Event: April 23
Our season of recycling drop off events kicks off this weekend in conjunction with Toledo Zoo's Party for the Planet! Stop by the Zoo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to recycle electronic waste, tires, paints and stains, housewares, clothing, boat shrink wrap, and used medical equipment at no cost.
|
|
|
Keeping Waterways Healthy
The City of Toledo is responsible for ensuring proper water flow in the sewers, drains, and ditches throughout the city. We are currently undertaking an initiative to proactively identify flooding, erosion, and other stormwater issues, to prioritize maintenance needs. The first step in this process is to inspect and evaluate the current conditions of all open ditches.
|
|
|
Distributing Meals at Greenwood Elementary
I was happy to help Children's Hunger Alliance distribute 'to-go' meals to Greenwood Elementary School students in case they have nutritional needs during spring break. Children who have regular and healthy meals excel in school and have a better chance to thrive in the future.
|
|
|
Youth Advisory Board Park Clean Ups: April 23
Join the City of Toledo Parks and Recreation Youth Advisory Board for an Earth Day Clean-up at four city parks. The Youth Advisory board challenges residents to assemble in groups and pick up unwanted trash around parks. Materials needed to collect trash will be provided.
|
|
|
Report Illicit Discharge
If you notice active dumping to a storm drain or waterway, large numbers of dead, or threatened fish or other living things, heavy flow from an outfall pipe in dry weather, or unusual color, cloudiness, odor, or sheen over a large area of water, report to Engage Toledo immediately.
|
|
|
Subscribe to Ozone Forecasts
Ground level ozone is a lung irritant and can be especially dangerous to those with respiratory conditions, children, the elderly, and those who do a lot of outdoor exercise. Forecasts will be made during the ozone season (late April through September) predicting one of four levels of air quality conditions from Good to Caution. Email env.information@toledo.oh.gov to subscribe.
|
|
|
Need Bulk Pickup?
Republic Services offers residents one free bulk pickup per month. All loose waste must be bagged. Wood/branches must be bundled and tied no larger than 3’ by 4’ and not heavier than 30 pounds per bundle; nails/screws must be pounded down or removed. Bulk items must be placed at curb in front of home. No alley pickup and no side street pickup. Call 419-936-2511 to schedule.
|
|
|
Thumbs Up Beautification Project
United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) and Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) are partnering together this spring on a program called “Thumbs Up”, a neighborhood beautification project LMH completes annually. During “Thumbs Up”, twelve of LMH’s community sites seek volunteers to join in this project for cleaning, planting, and painting. After each session, there will be food and fellowship.
|
|
|
Register for Litter League
Find a team, choose a name, and register to play this summer! We're taking on the City of Columbus in a head-to-head competition this year so let's show them what the Glass City can do.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Rental Assistance Application Help Session Wednesday, April 20 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rental Assistance Application Help Session Thursday, April 21 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Rental Assistance Application Help Session Friday, April 22 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Deadline to Apply for Pool Jobs Friday, April 22 4:45 p.m.
Trout Day at Sleepy Hollow Park Saturday, April 23 sunrise - sunset
Clean Toledo Drop-Off Refuse and Recycling Saturday, April 23 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Earth Day Clean-Up Saturday, April 23 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Deadline to Apply for Rental Assistance Friday, April 29 4:45 p.m.
Deadline to Apply for Youth Advisory Board Friday, April 29 4:45 p.m.
2022 UNCF Mayor’s Luncheon Friday, May 13 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
|
|
By The Numbers
|
Year To Date
|
18,916 |
calls to Engage Toledo |
8,574 |
service requests made through Engage Toledo app |
34,780 |
potholes filled |
1,364 |
illegal signs removed |
2,355,896 |
pounds of debris cleaned from streets with street sweepers |
1,331,140 |
pounds of debris removed from alleys |
1,320,650 |
pounds of debris removed by the Clean Toledo blight team |
1,831 |
tires collected by the Clean Toledo blight team |
138 |
water main breaks repaired |
590,644 |
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned |
3,567 |
feet of storm sewers cleaned |
2,873 |
building inspections completed |
2,462 |
permits issued |
|
|
|
|