On the Saturday of Earth Day weekend, April 23, Orcas islanders can do their part to help the earth by participating in a unique kind of contest: a trashathon.

Trashathon competitors will gather pledges from local residents promising to penny up a certain amount for every pound of litter collected. For example, a sponsor pledging one cent per pound might donate $25 if the group collects a total of 2,500 pounds of trash. The funds collected will be donated to a local charity which has yet to be named.

Volunteers will be organized in teams of 2-4 and asked to cover both sides of a 1-2 mile stretch of road, bagging litter for pickup. Organizer Joshua Tye is hoping to see about 60 volunteers to form five teams of 12, with team leaders in Deer Harbor, Westsound, Eastsound and Olga. He’s also hoping for donations of safety vests and signs, as well as for volunteers with trucks willing to pick up the filled bags and drop them off the Orcas transfer station.

For more information, contact Tye at 317-5170.