Behind every cleaned-up park and every bag of litter collected, there are people who come together, get involved, and believe deeply that small actions can make a big difference. Once again this year, Encorp Atlantic was pleased to support this spirit of community engagement through its Recycling Hero Community Cleanup Grant, offered to schools, municipalities, and non-profit organizations across New Brunswick.
During the spring and summer, garbage bins and litter pickers became the tools of true community spirit. Dozens of volunteers, students, educators, residents, and municipal partners rolled up their sleeves – or rather, got their hands on the ground – to give their surroundings a fresh look.
Whether it was removing litter from walking trails, cleaning up parks, or clearing ditches in sensitive areas, every action helped build neighbourhoods that are more beautiful, healthier, and more inspiring.
A Contagious Energy
This year, the grant supported the efforts of several community groups that organized hands-on initiatives. Among the recipients were:
- Association pour l’intégration communautaire de Grand-Saut (Grand Falls)
- Vision H2O (Cap-Pelé)
- Town of Beaurivage (Beaurivage)
- P.U.L.S.E. Inc. (Saint John)
- Fredericton Trails Coalition Inc. (Fredericton)
- Centre plein air Les Gailurons (Haut Rivière du Portage)
- Scout St Basile (Saint Basile)
- STU Sustainability (Fredericton)
- Town of Hartland (Hartland)
What do they all have in common? A deep commitment to the environment and a sincere desire to involve their communities. Volunteers sometimes braved the rain, sometimes the wind – but always with enthusiasm. We saw children proudly collecting littered beverage containers, adults encouraging the younger ones, and intergenerational groups sharing meaningful and enjoyable moments.
These events were also an opportunity to create or strengthen bonds: conversations emerged about the importance of cleanliness, consumption habits, and the role of citizens in protecting their environment. Cleanup days became an opportunity for education, awareness, and community pride.
How the Grant Helped
The funds received from Encorp were used to purchase supplies (gloves, bags, bins, tools), organize the logistics of the cleanup days (snacks, signage), and ensure strong visibility for the initiatives. Some teams also took the opportunity to raise young people’s awareness about environmental citizenship.
The results speak for themselves: many deposit-bearing beverage containers were returned to redemption centres for recycling, allowing participants to raise funds for school projects. But the intangible benefits are just as valuable: a stronger sense of belonging, collective responsibility, and inspiration for future projects.
Will It Be Your Turn Next?
Every season is a great opportunity to take action for your community. Whether it’s an outing with youth, a neighbourhood cleanup, or a larger environmental initiative, every action counts. And who knows? These efforts might inspire you to apply for next year’s Community Cleanup Grant.
These initiatives remind us that sometimes, all it takes is a small boost to turn a good idea into real action. If you’re part of a non-profit organization, a community group, or a local collective motivated to make a difference, know that the Community Cleanup Grant will be back in 2026.
To be notified when the next application period opens, stay connected with our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Together, let’s make 2026 another year of collaboration, action, and local pride.
