A Clean Slate for Hazelwood: Working Toward a Trash-Free Community
Allegheny CleanWays’ DumpBusters crew, along with the Hazelwood Initiative Blight Task Force, has removed more than 97,600 pounds of debris from the Hazelwood Greenway and neighborhood since January 1, 2015. This work is part of a larger effort to clean up illegal dump sites and promote policy change for urban revitalization in Pittsburgh that was funded by the Heinz Endowments. The mission of the Heinz Endowments is to help our region thrive as a whole community, economically, ecologically, educationally and culturally.
Illegal dumping is not only an environmental issue – it also affects economic development, public health and safety, and the self-esteem of the community and its residents. Tera McIntosh, Director of Community Engagement at Hazelwood Initiative, agrees. “Illegal dumping risks human health and well-being, contaminates landscapes and waterways, poisons plants and wildlife, destroys habitats, proposes safety risk, and pollutes our many public spaces. The efforts of Allegheny CleanWays’ DumpBusters and the Blight Task Force have reduced illegal dumping in Hazelwood drastically and their efforts have reduced costs on individuals, communities, and our government.”
DumpBusters is a year-round program of Allegheny CleanWays aimed at eliminating illegal dumping in Allegheny County. The DumpBusters crews consist of small groups of specially-trained volunteers (anywhere from 1-8 people) led by DumpBusters Director, Joe Divack. Since the program began in 2010, the DumpBusters program has removed over 1,506,500 pounds of illegal dump site debris (including 9,948 tires) from the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
Joe is excited about the progress made in Hazelwood. “It has been a pleasure to work so closely with the Hazelwood community in this unique project to remediate illegal dumping from long-neglected land. Community members have been exceptionally hard-working and devoted, and we are all pleased with the results so far. There’s more to be done, but we know that we’re up to the task”
Dee Schreider, life-long Hazelwood resident and leader of the Blight Task Force, sees the elimination of illegal dumping in the neighborhood as a step toward a brighter future. “Hazelwood Blight Task Force along with great support of DumpBusters have helped the rhythm of Hazelwood. People of Hazelwood are fighters, survivors and sharers. I see a new beginning again.”
Hazelwood will continue to be one of Allegheny CleanWays’ neighborhoods of focus through December 2015.
- 2184 reads