In Waterbury, Green Up Vermont hails volunteer Guinness World Record — Waterbury Roundabout

Given that Vermonters have made picking up trash on Green Up Day a habit for the past 54 years, it seemed like a worthwhile and attainable goal. Guinness required at least 5,000 eager trash collectors. 

Alberghini and Vermont’s organizers said: Hold my Green Up bag. 

The signups began and the list grew right up until May 3.

On Tuesday, Alberghini, members of the Green Up Vermont board of directors, representatives of some of the annual event’s lead sponsors, along with about 50 spectators that included students who won the 2024 Green Up art, writing and video contests gathered in Waterbury for a big announcement. 

Outside of the Pilgrim Park Darn Tough sock manufacturing facility, the official certificate from the esteemed world-record authority was unveiled. Stamped with an “Approved World Record” seal at the bottom, the certificate states: 

“The most pledges for trash cleanup in 24 hours is 6,833 and was achieved by Green Up Vermont, Inc. (USA) in Montpelier, Vermont, USA, on 4 May 2024.” 

A giant poster alongside the podium touted key 2024 Green Up statistics including: 404 tons (1,329,697 pounds) of trash collected across Vermont by 30,176 volunteers (up 30% over 2023 participation).