Vermont’s annual Green Up Day returns this Saturday, May 3, marking its 55th anniversary as a cherished community tradition. Volunteers are gearing up throughout Rutland and Windsor counties and across the entire state to help make Vermont shine.
Green Up Day is a statewide initiative in which volunteers clean litter from roadsides, waterways, and public spaces. Established in 1970 by Governor Deane C. Davis, it remains a unique, citizen-driven event. Vermont is the only state in the country—and now officially recognized by Guinness World Records—to maintain a statewide, volunteer-based litter clean-up program. In 2024, volunteer participation increased by 30%, reinforcing the event’s growing momentum.
“We are riding the momentum of achieving a Guinness World Records title last year, which is really special to Vermont and our residents,” said Green Up Vermont Executive Director Kate Alberghini. “Together, we achieved success and a clean state.”
Green Up Vermont emphasizes that a healthy environment directly supports Vermont’s economy, tourism, property values, and overall well-being. Volunteers are encouraged to spend an hour or two helping in their towns and celebrating their efforts with local events, such as creative Kentucky Derby Hat contests using recycled materials.
“Working together makes the biggest impact,” Alberghini added. “When people and businesses come together to Green Up, everyone benefits.”
Local efforts
In Woodstock folks are encouraged to meet on the Town Hall steps at 8 a.m. Woodstock Rotarians will be there to offer coffee, juice and donuts. Routes and bags will be given away. Please save any cans or bottles for the Scouts who will be accepting them at the high school.
Killington will have free Green Up bags available at the Killington town office, public safety building, and welcome center. Volunteers can collect trash anytime leading up to May 3 and are encouraged to sign up for specific road segments through killingtonrec.com to help coordinate coverage.
Bag drop-off will occur at the Killington Transfer Station on May 3 or 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To thank volunteers, Killington Resort will host a community BBQ picnic lunch at the Johnson Recreation Pavilion on Saturday, May 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Rutland event is organized by Rutland County Soild Waste District (RCSWD). There are two ways you can join Rutland Green Up Day efforts. You can work independently in your neighborhood and pick up bags and gloves at the RCSWD administrative office on One Smith Road (off Green Hill Lane) in Rutland or join the “Mighty Tidy Rutland” group who is focusing on Downtown Rutland. They are meeting in front of City Hall downtown to work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more town-specific details, visit greenupvermont.org.
For Woodstock information, visit: woodstockvt.com/events.
For Killington information, visit: killingtonrec.com.
For Rutland information, call 802-775-7209 ext. 206.
