Pitch In April 19 – May 3, 2025 and
Shoreline Cleanup Sat. May 3, 2025
We are gearing up for another spring litter cleanup starting April 19. We encourage everyone to take part – businesses, individuals, families, clubs, schools and churches. Smiths Falls Old Home Week is Aug 2 -9, and this will be a good start to making Smiths Falls look its best!
Pitch In Smiths Falls – go out any time that works for you during the two weeks
Shoreline Cleanup – register for the morning or afternoon session on Sat. May 3 and we will work together.
If you participated last year, someone will be contacting you.
Bags and supplies will be available for pickup at the REAL Deal Store, 85 William St. W, Smiths Falls beginning April 9th. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 – 5 pm, but note the REAL Deal will be closed Good Friday May 16. When you pick up your bucket of supplies you will be asked for a name and contact email, and if know, where you think you will be working.
Just leave your filled bags close to the road where you were working, with at least one Pitch In bag clearly visible, and Town staff will ensure it is picked up.
There is an online survey form for you to report back to to us how much you collected. (You may also email or phone if that is easier for you) Responses collected will be entered in a draw for some prizes.
Photos
We love seeing photos of volunteers in action! Some ideas would be:
- Interesting finds from your cleanup
- The bags you have filled, perhaps with yourself or your group displaying them (please ensure that you have permission from individuals in the photo)
- Before and after shots of your cleanup site
With your permission, we would may use one of your photos on our website, social media and possibly within future REAL publications.
Email your photo to [email protected], or message REAL on Facebook with your photo. If you will be posting your photo on social media, please use the hashtag #PitchInSF.
How to Participate in Pitch In
- We will be attempting to contact past participants, but please get in touch if we haven’t reached you. Use the email address [email protected].
- You can also leave a message at The REAL Deal Store, (613) 283-7999, during or after store hours.
- If you need help finding a location to clean up, let us know.
- Supplies will be available at the REAL Deal Store beginning Wed. Apr.9, 2025. Store hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm.
- You will be asked to record your name or group on a list so we have an idea of who is participating.
- If you know where you would like to clean up, please indicate on that list.
Where to Clean Up
- Individuals often choose to clean up around their neighbourhood.
- A number of sites are being “reserved” for groups that need to plan their cleanup day ahead. Please try to avoid those sites.
- We recommend that you check your site the night before or earlier in the day to make sure it still needs picking up. We cannot control where other people choose to pick up litter!
- If you are from outside of Smiths Falls, check with your municipality to see if they are participating in Pitch-In. In 2024 Rideau Lakes, Drummond-North Elmsley and Montague townships are all making Pitch In bags available to their residents, and will accept filled Pitch In bags without a garbage tag free of charge. Leave them out on your regular waste collection day, or to the landfill site if you normally take your household garbage there.
After the Cleanup
- Town staff will be collecting filled Pitch In bags from the roadside.
- If your filled bags are not picked up within two days, please call us with their location so we can let the town know to pick them up.
- Please let us know how you did on the response form!
Shoreline Cleanup Sat. May 3
- This is a one day cleanup on Sat. May 3
- Please let us know you are coming by emailing [email protected].
- Indicate if you are coming at 10 a.m. and/or 1 p.m.
- Consult the maps below for the meet point. We will do more nearby sites if we have sufficient volunteers.
- Dress appropriately and best to bring your own gloves.
- We will bring the bags and grabbers.
- No need to complete the little survey form, REAL will look after the total for that day.
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| Bascule Bridge Meet Point | Jasper Rd Boat Launch Meet Point |
Contacts
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Cathryn (613) 283-9819
REAL Facebook Page #PitchInSF
The REAL Deal Store is located at:
85 William St. W, Smiths Falls
open Wed. through Sat. 10 am – 5 pm
(613) 283-7999
More information
Safety Instructions Brochure – a printed copy will be included in each supply bucket
Poster – help us spread the word by posting one if you are able
Where Should I Go? – Need some suggestions? Here is a list of potential Smiths Falls sites 2024. See a map with approximate locations mapped.
Followup: Use this online Pitch In Completion Form to tell us how you did!
Tell Us How You Did! |
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Past Results
The residents who participated in Pitch In Smiths Falls and the Shoreline Cleanups really make difference! Here are some past results and media coverage.
2023 Shoreline Cleanup Report.
Read a story in the Smiths Falls Record News by Melissa Novakaska: Coffee Cups, masks, and pop cans among items found during Smiths Falls Shoreline Cleanup , May 1, 2022
A story by Desmond Devoy: Not Getting the Message: How Difficult is it not to Litter? in Inside Ottawa Valley, April 8, 2022
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Background
Pitch-in Smiths Falls is a community wide litter cleanup coordinated by REAL. Public and highly visible sites, such as parks, and road allowances, are identified by REAL and groups or individuals assigned to clean that site. Garbage bags, other supplies and safety instructions are provided. REAL records the number of participants and the number of bags of recyclable and other garbage collected for comparison from year to year.
REAL is working with the Town of Smiths Falls and others to find other measures that will reduce our litter problem.
REAL has been participating in spring cleanups since 1989 and has organized a community wide effort since the early 2000s. Pitch-in Canada is a national organization founded in British Columbia 55 years ago.
See Pitch-In Canada site.
