Image: Lori Roberts

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Fall cleanup

Over 140 volunteers haul away thousands of pounds of rubbish in Chilliwack fall cleanup event

Oct 7, 2025 | 8:47 AM

CHILLIWACK — As evidenced by the number of participants, Chilliwack residents will go out of their way to support a weekend cleanup event to help keep area waterways, trails and forests looking a little better.

Ryan Enns from the Chilliwack-Vedder River Cleanup Society told Fraser Valley Today via Facebook Messenger that 144 volunteers turned out to haul away over 7,000 pounds of rubbish from the B.C. Rivers Day event on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Enns says 2.62 metric tonnes (5,800 pounds) of garbage were collected, along with 0.63 metric tonnes of metal (1,400 pounds).

Image: Ross Aikenhead / Ross Aikenhead stands next to some of the rubbish that was hauled away during the cleanup event on Sunday, Sept. 28. Aikenhead has been involved with area cleanups for many years.

Volunteers first met at Thompson Regional Park on Chilliwack Lake Road.

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Local businesses contributed to the event. Morning coffee and goodies were provided thanks to Sardis McDonald’s on Luckakuck Way. Fresh water came courtesy of the Chilliwack Water Store. Valley Waste and Recycling provided the bin rental, drop-off and pickup.

The Chilliwack/Vedder River Cleanup Society still had to pay $467.67 for the garbage transfer to Valley Waste and Recycling, Enns said.

Volunteers were treated to a free BBQ lunch by the Chilliwack Dogwood Monarchs Club.

Since 2002, Adopt A River events have removed over 115 tonnes of waste from the Vedder/Chilliwack River shoreline. Volunteers typically head down to the park every April and September, rain or shine.