Valparaiso University Cleans Up Downtown

Valparaiso University, Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction and local business Mermaid Straw are coming together on Saturday, October 7, 2023 to help clean up downtown Valpo. The event will begin at the Rotary Garden at the Valparaiso Public Library, 106 Jefferson St., from 9-11 a.m.

“The University has been working closely with our partners to create greater awareness and promote sustainable actions related to the serious problem of plastic waste,” said Julie Peller, Ph.D., professor of chemistry at Valpo. “We encourage the community to participate in a morning cleanup, which will include recording the types and origins of the collected garbage.”

This event will be about more than just making our downtown area cleaner, however. Participants will be asked to tally the garbage they find on a litter monitoring form. Valparaiso University science students will compile that data to get a better understanding of what kind of litter is being left around town and start discussions of how to improve the area.

“We strongly encourage reductions in single use plastic and will continue to plan and sponsor programs and activities for a cleaner, healthier community,” Peller said.

Mermaid Straw will have their mermaid mascot in attendance, and will host a reusable drinkware scavenger hunt, including items valued as high as $40. Participants will check in at the pink tent. Free coffee, sweet treats, and a spring water refill station will be available. Please bring your own gloves and buckets. Reusable bags will be provided courtesy of the University. 

For more information, see the attached flier.