Canada/Windsor continues its efforts to make its downtown area cleaner

The City of Windsor, Ontario, has acquired a $30,000 vacuum cleaner to pick up litter, as part of its efforts to revitalize the downtown core. The device was unveiled on Monday.

The waste vacuum cleaner, The Glutton Collect, is an all-electric, self-propelled machine that vacuums up cigarette packets, cans, bottles, dog faeces, dead leaves and garbage stuck in grates, among other things, according to the manufacturer's website.

I think when you see a clean city center, it makes a difference," enthuses Renaldo Agostino, city councilor for Ward 3.

He sees it as a symbol of the city's commitment to a cleaner, greener and more vibrant downtown, he says.

It's something we control.

A quote from Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3 City Councillor

Downtown Windsor faces significant social problems, including drug abuse.

I can't solve the problem of drug addiction," he added.

The purchase of this device follows last December's launch of a pilot project to provide free lockable garbage cans to downtown Windsor businesses, as part of Windsor's Strengthen the Core downtown revitalization plan.

An effective tool, according to the City

The vacuum cleaner is small enough to fit through an ordinary door, and it's a zero-emission device, which means it could also be used indoors in facilities like arenas, adds Jim Leether, Environmental Services Manager for the City of Windsor.

However, it doesn't replace the big street sweepers," says Leether.

I hope it will give the people of Windsor a sense that their tax dollars are being well spent and that we're strengthening the heart of the city," he says.

According to Chris MacLeod, President of the Downtown Business Improvement Area, the new unit demonstrates a commitment to making downtown Windsor a better place to live, work and do business.

If we want our downtown to be a long-term success, we need more people living here," says MacLeod.

The vacuum cleaner will be tested in downtown Windsor for about a year, he explains.

It could then be deployed, along with other equipment, in other parts of the city.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/