City Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of 1-Bag Challenge Program

The City of Cedar Rapids will host an end-of-summer litter pickup event in celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge. Since 2012, Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz has challenged every resident to collect at least one bag of litter each year as part of a program meant to beautify Cedar Rapids. Residents and community members are invited to attend a celebration and cleanup event on Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 5–7 p.m. at the McGrath Amphitheatre downtown.

To date, the City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge has inspired Cedar Rapids residents, businesses and visitors to collect more than 24,000 bags of litter — removing a whopping 240 estimated tons of trash from City streets. Final collection numbers have been tallied at the end of each fiscal year since June 2014. The program has been recognized nationally with awards including the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Silver Circle Award in 2013 and the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations’ Outstanding Program Award in 2014.

Water, snacks and giveaway items will be provided, along with litter collection kits. Following brief remarks and a group photo, participants will be encouraged to pick up litter together. Attendees are asked to dress for the outdoors and to wear comfortable shoes.