Schuyler celebrates Earth Day with community cleanup

SCHUYLER -- Thursday evening, Schuyler celebrated Earth Day with its annual Clean Up Your Neighborhood event. 

"Helping, doing this type of activity, helps unify the people of Schuyler," said Luis Lucar of the Heartland Workers. 

 The event has existed since 1999, started in part by Raymond E. Ladwig, president of Keep Schuyler Beautiful.

"The landfills fill up fast enough as it is," said Ladwig. 

He estimates they collect about three dumpsters full per year. But, he knew this year would see a significantly bigger result this year as they have more volunteers and less people in quarantine. 

"The cheerleaders are coming, the honor society is coming, here's a church group that's here right now," said Ladwig. 

Also volunteering was Paul Eherenberger, candidate for county commissioner for Colfax County District 3.

"My slogan is action not alibis, so I'm getting out there and doing action," Ehrenberger.

According to EarthDay.org, only 23% of disposable water bottles are recycled....and plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. That's why Schuyler hopes the event makes an impact -- and not just for this week. Volunteers said they hope people continue to pick up trash anywhere and every day. 

"I think it should be a spirit that becomes a culture just when we're out walking we could be picking things up," Eherenberger said.