‘Trash Mob’: Event brings spring cleaning to Downtown Windsor

Residents gather to pick up litter after the winter.

Dozens of people scoured Downtown Windsor Saturday morning in search of trash and debris as part of the first “trash mob” of 2025.

Starting at The Great Canadian Flag, groups walked along the riverfront, the downtown core, and some side streets to do some spring cleaning.

Organized by Windsor of Change, the cleanup event was the first of many this year.

“We gather as many people as we can to do a cleanup event, call them trash mobs, kind of like flash mobs,” event organizer Alex Conroy told CTV News.

In recent weeks, the warm weather has melted the remaining snow, exposing garbage littered throughout the area.

Before plants and bushes begin to grow back, the group set out to tidy up any debris they could find.

“It’s a good time of the year because vegetation hasn’t come up, and that’s your best chance to get at it,” Conroy said.

Armed with a pair of gloves and a garbage bag, participants picked up varying types of garbage. Alongside small pieces of plastic, Conroy noted they often come across cigarette butts.

“That’s unfortunate because they don’t biodegrade. They just stay there, and it’s probably the number one thing that people toss away,” Conroy added.

Niharika Bandaru, the Executive Director of Windsor of Change, a non-profit raising awareness about climate change and sustainability, said these events provide an opportunity for residents to show their appreciation for the land.

“This is where we live, this is where we go to work and this is where we play,” Bandaru said.

“It’s also important to take responsibility for where we live, and especially if it is our trash that’s going around, getting blown all over. I think it’s important we do our best to clean it up.”

In the coming weeks, the group hopes to hold another Trash Mob event, as well as opportunities to participate in Earth Month.