Clean Up Cincinnati at the University of Cincinnati is a student-run organization that aims to reduce litter on campus and offer a close knit social network that focuses on the environment.
Many University of Cincinnati students are familiar with the aftermath of a weekend spent at UC. Clifton is littered by empty bottles, beer containers, food containers and other waste. This litter is aesthetically and environmentally damaging. Clean Up Cincy at UC is working to eliminate litter on campus and offers students a tight knit group that focuses on the environment.
Clean Up Cincy is more than just a trash pickup organization. It also works to preserve the environment and keep campus clean. The group has been able to maintain close relationships because of the shared passion for protecting the environment.
Clean Up Cincy was founded by a small group students in January 2015. It has received significant attention and has seen a rise in volunteer work from residents and students. Since 2015, the number of volunteers per semester has almost tripled to 350 from just 350.
For some members, the daily work of the executive board is a priority. Emma Daniel, a third-year environmental studies student and Clean Up Cincy vice President, works behind the scenes every single day to organize weekly meetings, and plan events that are scheduled by the organization. The organization organizes two major events each semester that draw significant participation from the Clifton community. The Clifton Walking Event, which is the largest event organized by the group, is also the most popular.
Volunteers and members are divided into large groups. They are given maps that show where trash can be picked up in Clifton. They then go out together to clean the area as a group. The UC also hosts the One Bag of Trash Challenge every year, which encourages students to pick-up at least one bag each in their local communities.
Ally Widzinski is a fourth-year industrial designer student. Events like these helped her to get to know the community around campus and the city of Cincinnati. Widzinki was a founding member of Clean Up Cincy in her first year at UC.
Im [from]I was out of state so I didn’t know much about the city. But now I know all the neighborhoods. I know the leaders of the community. [have discovered]Widzinski also mentioned other volunteer opportunities.
She also stressed that these events are important for students to see beyond their locality.
It’s like opening them up to the larger world that they are a part. Widzinski said that it was a way to make them realize that although they were only in one block of the university, they also belong to a city that needs our support.
Grant Webster, fifth-year urban planning student, is the executive board sustainability director.
Webster said, “I think it’s a two-for-1 deal where we want Cincinnati to be objectively clean.” However, he added that another aspect of the deal is encouraging people to feel pride in their neighborhoods.
Students are always encouraged and appreciated by the community for their outreach efforts beyond campus.
Archit Deshpande was a second year neuroscience student and was looking to get involved with the community and possibly join a student group. When he arrived on campus at UC, he noticed the outreach by the organization immediately.
Deshpande recalls Clean Up Cincy as one of the organizations that reached out no matter what during COVID. They also had large events and were the largest cleanup organization on campus.
He is now a two-year Clean Up Cincy member and understands the common goals among Clean Up Cincy members despite the diversity of their majors and disciplines.
Daniel states that she is passionate about keeping the community clean. She plans to work for an organization that focuses not only on the environment but also on the well-being and health of the people.
She said that they are passionate about the environment. It’s not always something that you can see in urban settings. I’m from a rural, nature-focused area. It’s great to bring that passion here and get people excited about protecting the places they call home.
These feelings of mutual respect for the environment have created camaraderie and relationships which have been vital in keeping the group cohesive and successful over the years.
Webster, a five year member of the group, said that he saw Webster for the first time this weekend in Clifton and they got to hang out together. It is a great way of meeting people you would not otherwise have the chance to meet outside of the club.
Recently, the group visited Woodward Theatre in Clifton for an award ceremony related to environmental protection in Cincinnati. Webster says that members of the executive boards go to a river or a neighborhood to do cleanups together every semester to strengthen their team bond. Even if one of the student members has to leave the university, the relationships and friendships that they have with each other can last a lifetime.
I am still in touch with my former executive colleagues. Widzinski said that they will always text and check in with me.
It’s more than a follower on social media or a text sent occasionally.
She said that it was a friendship you’ll always have and that you’ll always have their support. Although you may have graduated, Clean Up Cincy has not really been part of your life. You are still an alumni and you will always be a part. This is what I hope all of our executives will do as they move on with their lives.
Deshpande echoes these sentiments, even though he has left UC and the organization, his passion for protecting and sustaining the environment and his commitment to it will not cease to be important to him.
He stated that even if you were to leave, you wouldn’t lose the passion for the environment. I want to be involved. Even if it’s not my career goal, I won’t stop wanting to clean up the environment or be sustainable.
