Highway 40 Cleanup in Kananaskis Highlights Scale of Litter, Including Mattress and Washing Machine

Volunteers with Friends of Kananaskis Country collected 136 bags of garbage along a 50-kilometre stretch of Highway 40 on May 2, as organizers say roadside litter remains significant despite a slight decline from previous years.

The annual cleanup brought together 107 volunteers and seven staff to clear debris between the Trans-Canada Highway and the Highwood Gate. Crews also collected 875 recyclable containers, logging 463 volunteer hours over the course of the day.

Trevor Julian, executive director of Friends of Kananaskis Country, said the overall volume of waste was slightly lower than in previous years.

“All of these figures are similar to previous years,” he said. “There was less garbage this year than previous years, which is a good sign.”

Despite that improvement, the range and type of debris collected continue to point to ongoing issues with roadside litter, particularly from passing vehicles. Common items included beverage containers, coffee cups, plastic lids and other food-related packaging. Volunteers also reported frequently finding hubcaps, particularly near cattle guards, along with larger discarded items.

“This year a washing machine and a mattress were found,” Julian said. “Someone found $5 and a cell phone was found.”

Julian said the cleanup effort is not only about removing waste, but also about reinforcing responsible visitor behaviour in a region that continues to see high levels of recreational use.

“We hope all visitors, both local and international visitors, take care of Kananaskis so it can be enjoyed for many, many generations to come,” he said.

The cleanup comes as concerns about litter and visitor behaviour continue to surface across the Bow Valley.

Earlier this year, a gender reveal event at Lake Louise drew widespread criticism after pink powder and metallic confetti were left scattered across the ice, prompting a Parks Canada investigation and renewed calls for stronger stewardship in high-use areas.

Volunteer-led cleanups have become a common way for community groups to address waste in popular recreation areas.

In Canmore, Kylie McKendrick, owner of Strides Canmore, said the organization’s annual plogging event, which combines running with picking up trash, reflects a growing emphasis on building long-term habits around environmental care.

Strides Canmore hosted its ninth annual event on April 26, collecting more than 500 pounds of garbage across Canmore with the help of over 60 participants, despite cold temperatures and snowy conditions. Over nine years, the initiative has removed 6000 pounds of waste from the community.

The event runs as both a single-day gathering and a week-long effort, encouraging residents to collect litter throughout Earth Week and return it for proper disposal. Local partners include the Town of Canmore, the Rotary Club of Canmore, Canmore Brewing Company and the Canmore and Area Mountain Bike Association.

McKendrick said the turnout reflected a strong commitment from residents, even in challenging weather.

“Over 60 people braved the cold to come out and do their part in picking up litter and trash from our community,” she said. “While not a record year in terms of overall pounds collected, it was an amazing effort by those who braved snow and temperatures below 0.”

She said partnerships with groups such as the Rotary Club of Canmore and Canmore Brewing Company have helped sustain the initiative, while local youth have also played a role.

“The Canmore High School has been outstanding in getting teenagers out picking up garbage,” she said. “They picked up over 50lbs this year.”

McKendrick said the event is increasingly focused on long-term behaviour change rather than a single day of cleanup.

“It’s becoming not just a one day event, but rather building awareness and habits for residents to do their part and head outside to pick up trash every year in April as the snow melts.”

The events point to a broader pattern across the Bow Valley, where volunteer-driven cleanups play an increasingly visible role in addressing the impacts of heavy recreational use and promoting shared responsibility for protecting natural spaces.