GREENFIELD — Resident David Boles has secured 1,000 blue trash bags to distribute to people so they can fill them with litter for free curbside pickup.

The founder of the Green River Cleanup, which celebrated its 21st year in September and now averages 250 to 300 volunteers, started Blue Bag April five years ago following a suggestion by Judy Bennett, a Greenfield High School teacher he met through the annual cleanup.

“[She] mentioned April being a month bags can be distributed to help the city clean up the streets and other areas,” Boles said.

People can get blue bags at the Department of Public Works at 189 Wells St., the John Zon Community Center at 35 Pleasant St. and the Recreation Department offices at 20 Sanderson St. to collect litter around the greater Greenfield area. These bags will be picked up for free without the need for a trash bag sticker. However, only litter that will fit inside the blue bag will be collected and no household items are allowed.

Boles said 600 bags were distributed and used last year. He noted April is a good month for cleaning up litter because snow has melted and vegetation is not yet overgrown.

“It’s spring,” he said. “It’s a rebirth time.”

Boles mentioned it is now easy to spot trash along the roads leading into Greenfield and along the bicycle path.

“It’s really demoralizing,” he said.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.