Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 21, 2025 Clean Up Everett launches ‘Keep Massachusetts Beautiful’ chapter T Special to The Advocate ake a quick peek at any roadside, sidewalk, park or public space in Everett, and chances are that you will see something that doesn’t belong there: litter. Cigarette butts, empty alcohol bottles, water bottles and plastic wrappers have become a bleak part of our landscape. A year ago marked a tipping point — that’s when Everett residents began taking things into their own hands. Clean Up Everett began with resident Stephanie McColaugh picking up trash every day when she walked her dog, began advocating for change at City Council meetings and started garnering attention on social media. With the support of Councillor-at-Large Katy Rogers, a group of residents, ever increasing in quantity and commitment, began organizing litter cleanups to tackle the issue. “We have steadily grown as a grassroots community organization, dedicated to making Everett a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful place to live,” said McColaugh. “We all deserve that. Littering isn’t just depressing to look at, it is bad for the environment, causes flooding when it clogs our stormwater systems and is damaging to local economies.” Beyond regular litter cleanups, community education and citywide investment is high on the group’s priority list. Clean Up Everett is working to develop an anti-littering curriculum in collaboration with the Rec Center and local public schools. They are also keeping up the pressure campaign for the city to address the root cause of the issue, advocating for multilingual antilittering signs, more (covered) trash barrels, anti-littering enforcement and leveraging the city’s social media platforms to educate the public. “Volunteers have been purchasing cleanup supplies with our personal money and picking up after others with our free time,” said McColaugh. “We need the city to meet us halfway. DPW has been helpful in disposing of the litter we collect, but ultimately the resolution of this issue requires more resources.” Volunteers have stated the following: “My involvement with Clean Toys! $599.95 Collectibles! $1,195.95 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Up Everett grew from being absolutely fed up with walking outside and seeing trash all over the city. I have never lived somewhere with such a bad littering problem and I am an environmental conservation and sustainability professional, so I notice these things. In an effort to feel less hopeless about the situation, I joined Clean Up Everett, and am now feeling happy to share space with people who also have a passion for planetary protection and a belief that everyone deserves safe, clean, biodiverse outdoor spaces to enjoy. I’m excited to work alongside our community to tackle litter, promote zero-waste habits, and advocate for more sustainable city policies, especially those that prioritize green space and parks. My hope is that Everett invests far more money and energy in creating parks, accessible natural areas, and strong environmental protections, becoming a model for community-driven sustainability in Massachusetts.”—Rachel Martinez “I got involved in Clean Up Everett because Everett is where I grew up. It will always be my hometown. Whenever opportunity comes around, I am always willing to help out. It is a great feeling when people work together to make a place safer and cleaner to live in. Everett has always had (Courtesy photos) great pride and we will continue to make it a better place to live.”— Philip Spaulding Clean Up Everett recently took the additional step of becoming a local chapter of the statewide nonprofit Keep Massachusetts Beautiful (KMB). KMB supports 42 local chapters across the state, all of which share a common goal of making their communities cleaner, greener places to live, work and play. Clean Up Everett is dedicated to making Everett the best place it can be and is committed to collaborating with municipal leaders, community groups, the Department of Public Works and local businesses. They recently completed a cleanup event at the Everett Home Depot that drew over 20 volunteers. They welcome residents who would like to get involved, build community and attend cleanup events. CLEAN UP | SEE PAGE 7
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