Kayaking Crusader Chooses Historic Trading Post Site for Rubbish Removal

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 26, 2013) - 1-800 RID-OF-IT, one of Canada's leading national rubbish removal companies, is gearing up for their third Humber River Clean Up event, September 11, 2013.

A previous event at the clean-up site revealed a provincial history plaque amidst tonnes of refuse and garbage (including rusted shopping carts, bottles and many unspeakable or unidentifiable objects.) The recovered artefact marks a trading post founded by Jean Baptiste Rousseaux (1758-1812) who, according to a provincial history website, was the first European to settle in the Toronto area. Rousseaux and his father served as interpreters for the Indian department and he served in Simcoe's government until his death in 1812. (More information found at www.Ontarioplaques.com)

The Humber River Clean Up was created by 1-800 RID-OF-IT President Rick Crawford, a Bloor West resident and keen kayaker. Crawford decided to take action when seeing the mass of accumulated rubbish while paddling in the area.

"Pollution is not just impacting the delicate Humber River ecosystem, but is literally burying our history," said Crawford. "As a local kayaker I can't believe the things that have ended up in the Humber River and around the shoreline. It's a beautiful part of the city, but it really needed someone to step in and clean it up. As a national rubbish removal company we've got the trucks, staff and expertise to get this done."

Mink, beaver, blue heron, fox, deer and white egrets all live in or near the Humber River. The waters and surrounding parkland is a hidden wildlife sanctuary in the midst of our concrete jungle.

"In 2008, we pulled more than one metric tonne of garbage from the river including rusted shopping carts, garbage cans, bottles, aluminum cans and a few...unidentified objects. This year we are working to grow the scale of the clean up by challenging other West Toronto businesses to step up and help keep this amazing resource clean."

There's still time for individuals, small businesses and corporations to step in and step up as they have in past years. So far, the Complete Paddler has signed on to assist with water-based recovery of trash items. The Humber River Clean-Up 2013 is putting out a plea for volunteers to help out on September 11, 2013 - the day of the event.

About 1-800 RID-OF-IT

1-800 RID-OF-IT is not just about rubbish removal, it's also about the environment. The company has consistently taken a leadership role in promoting recycling of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. 1-800 RID-OF-IT will load up, take away and recycle or dispose of items deemed too large or bulky for weekly trash service, including yard refuse, drywall, appliances, furniture and garage junk. 1-800 RID-OF-IT can be reached at 1-800-743-6348 or online at www.ridofittoronto.com.