About Us
Mission Statement
MV Litter Free was established in August 2022 for the following purposes:
- To pick up litter on the Edgartown, Massachusetts Bike Path.
- Our goal is to keep this path area clean, beautiful and safe for bike riders, walkers and runners.
- To encourage island students, their families, visitors, workers and locals to be mindful about their personal trash and to dispose responsibly.
- To collaborate with Martha’s Vineyard Clean Up groups to raise awareness and promote participation opportunities.
- To collaborate with Martha’s Vineyard Sustainability organizations to reduce single use products.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation Adopt A Bike Path
We are honored to be the first entity in Massachusetts to Adopt a Bike Path. The MassDOT created this program upon our request as a subset of the Adopt a Highway Program. We have a two-year commitment to this program to meet the responsibilities of cleaning our designated bike path monthly between April and November each year. We have ongoing communication with the department, we completed training to participate in this program, and must comply with all safety regulations.
Co-Founders
Michelle Oldershaw has had a lifelong commitment to volunteering in her communities including past parent Co-Chair of The Fenn School Service Learning Program. She loves Martha’s Vineyard and will often be spotted picking up trash along the shoreline.
Luke Oldershaw has participated in Earth Day cleanups, composting, and community service days for the past 4 years. He is an active bike rider in the ninth grade. Luke believes that litter is “not good!” and that “all ages can help pick up trash. The community can take action and do more together.”
Michelle and Luke split time between Edgartown and Southborough and look forward to engaging with the island community.
Organization
At this time, MV Litter Free is a community service group. We do not have plans to fundraise and are focusing our efforts on clean ups and litter reduction advocacy.
