Governor McKee, state officials launch ‘Keep Rhody Litter Free’ campaign

Governor Dan McKee was joined by First Woman Susan McKee, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Rhode Island Division of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority CEO Scott Avedisian, Rhode Island Division of Environmental Administration Appearing Director Terry Grey, and Maintain Blackstone Valley Stunning Director Donna Kaehler on Friday afternoon to kick off “Maintain Rhody Litter Free,” a year-round marketing campaign designed to encourage state businesses, people, companies, communities, faculties, and youth teams to hitch within the effort to remove litter in Rhode Island.

The kickoff announcement was held on the Route 44 Park and Trip in East Windfall, the place the Governor, First Woman, and state officers additionally joined collectively to take part in an Earth Day cleanup to remind Rhode Islanders concerning the significance of preserving the Ocean State clear and inexperienced.

“We’re asking everybody to hitch within the effort to remove litter in Rhode Island,” mentioned First Woman Susan McKee, who will function the spokesperson for the Maintain Rhody Litter Free marketing campaign. “Everybody throughout our 39 cities and cities can do their half – even a small function could make a big impact. Collectively, let’s take the pledge to Maintain Rhody Litter Free.”

“Litter is dear to scrub up, it impacts financial improvement, and finally it leads to the waterways and ocean of our beloved state,” mentioned Governor Dan McKee. “I thank our companions within the Rhode Island Division of Transportation, Rhode Island Division of Environmental Administration, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, and Maintain Blackstone Valley Stunning for selling this marketing campaign to maintain our roads, parks, and seashores clear year-round.”

“Folks go to from close to and much to take pleasure in the great thing about our pure points of interest like our parks and seashores,” mentioned Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “On this Earth Day, I encourage Rhode Islanders to take the pledge and assist Maintain Rhody Litter Free by becoming a member of one of many many clean-ups throughout our state led by exemplary group leaders.”

“RIDOT spends virtually $1 million yearly choosing up trash on our state roads. We’d a lot quite spend it on enhancing our bike paths, roads and bridges,” mentioned RIDOT Director Peter Alviti. “I’m asking each Rhode Islander to get on board with the Governor’s program to make our state litter free. Put your trash the place it belongs – in your personal rubbish bag. So easy. So efficient. So thoughtful. Thanks on your assist.”

“The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) wholeheartedly helps Governor McKee’s imaginative and prescient for a clear, inexperienced and delightful Rhode Island,” mentioned RIPTA Chief Government Officer Scott Avedisian. “The Maintain Rhody Litter Free initiative will assist increase consciousness concerning the detrimental impacts of littering, whereas reminding the general public that all of us have a task to play in defending our planet. In an effort to scale back the necessity for paper and potential litter, RIPTA lately switched from its single-use paper fare system to Wave – a reloadable, reusable sensible fare expertise.”

“DEM could be very excited concerning the management and onerous work that Governor McKee and the First Woman have accomplished to mobilize a public-private partnership to attenuate litter, which is an issue each on the land and in our waters all through Rhode Island,” mentioned RIDEM Appearing Director Terry Grey. “Stormwater runoff carries mindlessly discarded cigarette butts, plastic straws, soda bottles, and a whole bunch of hundreds of different items of litter by means of storm drains, into creeks and rivers, and in the end into Narragansett Bay, blighting every part alongside the best way. We hope that the Maintain Rhody Litter Free marketing campaign raises Rhode Islanders’ consciousness to take private accountability and remove litter in our lovely state.”

For extra details about Maintain Rhody Litter Free, go to litterfree.ri.gov.