by Diana Pando
Imagine living or working in a neighborhood littered with trash. For some residents this is an everyday reality. Litter impacts both residents and small businesses by making neighborhoods look run-down, attracting rodents, decreasing community pride, and attracting crime. One of the reasons people litter is because they don’t feel responsible for public spaces like streets and parks.
On Saturday, June 21, 2014 community residents, local businesses, and TRP volunteers came together for a neighborhood clean-up day organized by The Greater Pilsen Economic Development Association (GPEDA). Everyone from senior citizens to youth enthusiastically grabbed a broom or a rake and headed out to their assigned clean-up spot in Pilsen. Maria Sanchez, a Pilsen resident said, “Every year, I work to find ways to keep our community clean.”
The clean-up day was a way to beautify the neighborhood, curb crime, and cultivate community pride.
“We’re encouraging residents to take ownership of spaces in our community and to help keep these areas clean and beautiful for everyone who lives, works, or visits Pilsen,” said Natalia Rodriguez, GPEDA Coordinator.
Getting the small business community to participate and work hand-in-hand with community volunteers was also important because together they set a positive example of working together to reduce litter. GPEDA has been working with small business owners to educate them on the importance of keeping the front and back of their stores clean.
Juan Manuel Giron, owner of Libreria Giron, participated in the clean-up effort because he believes strong visible support from volunteers, business owners, and Aldermen’s staff shows how much the community cares about their customers. “It’s just as important to sweep the front of our sidewalk as it is to keep a clean alley,” says Giron. “Cleaner streets mean healthier customers.”
According to the City of Chicago’s Streets and Sanitation Department the biggest sources of litter come from pedestrians, motorists, loading docks, and residential and commercial garbage. Last year, the Chicago City Council approved an amended ordinance with steeper fines of up to $1,500 for those caught littering from moving vehicles.
There is no excuse for dirty streets, and initiatives like this are intended to provide residents and small business owners the opportunity to meet each other and encourage everyone to keep Pilsen clean. Angie Cruz, a Pilsen Resident and TRP volunteer, says, “I have always seen my community as an extension of my home and it’s important to be an active participant in its cleanliness and beautification because it’s my duty as a Pilsen resident.”

Would you like to participate in the next Pilsen Clean-Up Day? Contact Natalia Rodriguez at [email protected] for more information.

Below are some tips to help keep Pilsen clean:

1. Keep a bag in your car where you can put your litter in and throw into a trash can.
2. Close all lids on garbage cans so trash doesn’t spill out into the alley or street.
3. Talk to your family and friends and encourage them not to litter.
4. Be an example and simply don’t litter.
5. Remove flyers and sales papers from your front door and dispose in trash can before it becomes litter.

Businesses that participated in the clean-up day included:
Libreria Giron, No Manches Clothing, Pl-zen, Statefarm- Elvia Torres, Alderman Danny Solis, Nitecap Coffee Bar,  La Casa Del Pueblo Restaurant,  Ciao Amore Italian Restaurant, Carnitas Uruapan, Del Sol Realty, Simones, Pilsen Fitness Center,  Soultry Shoes, Efebina’s Cafe, and The Resurrection Project.