Some of downtown Burlington’s challenges feel intractable, such as the number of unhoused people living outside and the public signs of substance-use disorder. Others, like the pervasiveness of trash and syringes on the streets, are less daunting to tackle. That’s exactly why Kason Hudman, 31, of the Peace & Justice Center organized a group called BTV Clean Up Crew.
The volunteer members meet at the top of Church Street every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Since May, nearly 100 people have logged more than 400 hours cleaning up the downtown area.
Earlier this month, a multigenerational group of 18 split into two crews that covered hot spots to the west and east of the Marketplace. They were provided with trash bags, latex gloves and sturdy bottles for collecting sharp objects.
“It feels empowering to be able to do something locally that makes a difference.”
Laura Solomon
In the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger followed the eastside crew as it combed alleyways, parking lots and sidewalks. The volunteers moved quickly and cleared a wide variety of litter, including empty cans, food wrappers, cardboard and used needles. The group was upbeat; many of these folks have become regulars and friends.
Sollberger spoke with Seven Days about filming the episode.
Why did you join the BTV Clean Up Crew?
Seven Days deputy publisher Cathy Resmer wrote about it in August, and I wanted to see the group in action. Like many Burlington residents, I am overwhelmed and distraught by the changes downtown in recent years. This seemed like a tangible way to do something about them.
Who else participated?
My eastside group consisted of about 12 people. Most of them were regulars, so they knew the route. We explored parts of the downtown that I don’t normally frequent, and it felt strangely heartwarming to watch this group cleaning. It was a diverse crew of people in terms of age and walks of life, and they worked well together. The mood was upbeat and positive, despite the sometimes grim surroundings. Laura Solomon, who lives downtown, told me: “I do this because it feels empowering to be able to do something locally that makes a difference.”
How does this topic fit in with your other “Stuck” videos?
My videos are usually more scenic. But they are also positive, and this fits the bill. I’ve been unsure how to tackle Burlington’s complex issues in my video series. I don’t want to be sensational or doomsday. As depressing as it was to see the debris scattered through our beautiful city, it was uplifting to watch these community members work together to counter it.
Did this experience inspire you?
I live in the Old East End of Burlington and pick up trash and needles regularly. But cleaning up with a group is way more fun, so I will probably join the weekly meetups. It’s also great exercise. We walked about 5,000 steps and more than two miles in two hours. All the interviews were filmed on the move, and it was sometimes hard to keep up!
How can people participate?
Everyone is welcome. BTV Clean Up Crew will continue meeting weekly throughout the winter on Thursday mornings. There is also a monthly Sunday gathering; the next one is October 26 at 11:30 a.m.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Clean Streets | A volunteer crew picks up litter in downtown Burlington”
This article appears in The Tech Issue 2025.
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