Enjoy the outdoors, love your campus and 8 other reasons to register for Campus Cleanup and Barbecue

For the first time in the event’s history, the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue has secured a sponsor close to home. Waste Management, the university’s waste removal contractor, will not only be sponsoring the barbecue portion of the cleanup, but you'll also catch them behind the grill flipping patties.

Ryan Sanborn, senior education solutions representative for Waste Management, says they have been involved with the cleanup for many years as volunteers, but this year, Waste Management wanted to go the extra mile to show their support.

“We have always liked coming out to support the cleanup event — I’ve been out a few times myself with my rake and picker,” Sanborn says. “Being green is really important for our company and the university, so it’s a perfect partnership.”

The Campus Cleanup and Barbecue is a time-honoured tradition at the university, and in reverence of the event’s 10th anniversary, here are 10 reasons you and your team should sign up for the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue before the April 19 registration deadline.

1. Eat a delicious, free lunch

After the cleanup and weighing concludes, all registered teams and individuals will have an opportunity to enjoy a fresh barbecue lunch sponsored by Waste Management. You’ll deserve it for a job well done.

2. Enjoy the great outdoors

UCalgary’s campus is a beautiful place to be in the spring, but how often do you get to enjoy it? Last year, 134 enthusiastic volunteers collected 294.8 kilograms of waste while soaking in the rays on a Friday.

3. Get some low-impact exercise

Sitting at a desk all day can be difficult on our spine, our circulation and our energy level. The Campus Cleanup and Barbecue is a great way to get your steps in, while doing some good for our planet.

4. Use it as a free team-building opportunity

Last year, teams from areas like Active Living, Hotel Alma, University Relations, Facilities, Career Services, Haskayne and more registered for the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue. Register now and use teamwork to solve real world problems… like how to get that plastic bag out of that tree, or propose hypotheses for how that shopping cart got this far from a Wal-Mart.

5. Show your campus pride

UCalgary has a beautiful campus full of multipurpose green space. By coming together as a campus to remove litter, we are taking ownership of our space and showing others we take pride in the places we learn and work.

6. Protect our local wildlife and plant life

We are not the only species that benefits from a clean campus. When litter accumulates over the winter, it’s only a matter of time until our furry and feathery friends see our trash as their lunch. Additionally, our trees, shrubs and flowers suffer when litter is left lingering in the nooks and crannies of our campus.

7. Win some prizes

When you register as an individual or a team for the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue, there are prizes for the wackiest items collected — last year’s items included a jockstrap, a hubcap, a shopping cart, and a whole, fresh pineapple — most litter collected as well as door prizes. In addition, for those who register in advance of April 19, extra ballots are entered into extra door prize draws.

8. Learn more about waste diversion and recycling on campus

Do you know what goes where when it comes to waste and recycling on campus? Or that 90 per cent of the daily waste we produce can be recycled or composted if placed in the correct bins? These are just some of the great things you’ll learn at the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue on April 26.

9. Celebrate Earth Day

The Campus Cleanup and Barbecue began 10 years ago to celebrate Earth Day. This year, Earth Day’s theme is Protect Our Species, and you can do that by giving our local birds, animals and plants a healthy place to call home.

10. It’s great excuse to wear your comfiest clothes

All individuals and teams that register for the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue are asked to wear comfortable, breathable clothing suitable for outdoor activity, plus close-toed, comfortable shoes.

To register or find out more information about the Campus Cleanup and Barbecue, visit the website, or contact sustain@ucalgary.ca.