The 3rd Annual Flagstaff TRASH BASH

9/17/03 – Boulder, CO – Over one hundred and twenty people showed up for the 3rd Annual Flagstaff TRASH BASH on Wednesday the 17th, to pickup a ton of trash in the freezing rain. An estimated 2,000 pounds of trash was collected and roughly 40% was recycled. Among the broken bottles, cigarette butts, cans, and other garbage, the volunteers found car tires, an old guard rail, and all sorts of nasty items. “The turnout was amazing. The Front Range climbing community really comes through for the Trash Bash.” noted Chris Lesher.Conditions for the event could not have been harsher; it rained and sleeted during the entire cleanup, and the fog was as thick as pea soup. “It was so cold; the beer in the tap was frozen” said event organizer Willie Mein. The volunteers who showed up and bushwhacked in the rain to cleanup stacks of trash earned all the stuff we gave away, and a ton of admiration and respect for their effort. “I’m super impressed with the turnout, the volume of trash, and by the effort of the volunteers who were standing in the cold rain, sorting the recyclables out of the trash. That’s a bold statement, … amazing.” said Rick Hatfield, Ranger, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.In addition to picking up trash, raising awareness is the other goal of the Trash Bash. “Littering is not cool”, and organizers were especially excited to share that message with the dozens of teenagers who came up to help out.“The kids had a great time and feel pretty good that they helped the mountain look a good bit better.” – Todd A. Mayville -English Teacher & Climbing Team Coach, Adams City High SchoolOver $3,000 in products and services were donated by local business and distributed to the volunteers who came to the event. for further info contact Willie Mein at 303-735-5020, willie.mein@lasp.colorado.edu