Press Release
September 24, 2025
Richmond, BC – On the morning of Saturday, September 20th, Richmond business community members rolled up their sleeves and got to work, clearing trash and debris from two locations: Nelson Road Beach and River Road Shoreline.
The Shoreline Clean-up, organized in partnership by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Platinum Pro-Claim Restoration, and 505-Junk, brought the community together to protect the environment, raise awareness, and help preserve the natural beauty of Richmond’s coastline by keeping debris out of our waterways.
“The 9th annual Richmond Shoreline Cleanup is another fantastic example of how a relatively small group can make a big impact. This event brings people together, builds community, and cares for the planet through measurable, meaningful action. Nearly 40,000 pounds of debris have now been removed from our island community’s shores, and that’s something every volunteer can take real pride in. We’re so grateful for the ongoing enthusiasm and participation this event continues to inspire,” said Jamie Madill, Director of Sustainability & Purpose at Platinum Pro-Claim Restoration.
Scott Foran, President of 505-Junk, echoed the sentiment, “Every year, we are reminded of the impact that dedicated volunteers and community partners can make when we come together. At 505-Junk, we see firsthand how much waste is illegally dumped in sensitive shoreline areas, but we also see the power of people willing to take action. Removing over 7,800 lbs of material this year. We’re proud to lend our expertise and equipment to ensure Richmond’s natural spaces remain clean, safe, and beautiful.”
Chamber CEO, Shaena Furlong, says, “Despite cleaning up both these locations just a year ago, I was surprised our teams were able to bring out nearly 8,000 lbs of trash this past Saturday. None of this would be possible without our hardworking volunteers. We all know Richmond is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and these 60 people helped to keep it that way! Our event partners in 505-Junk and Platinum Pro-Claim Restoration are the real experts in removing junk and restoring a place to its original beauty. This is our fourth year working together and each year I continue to be amazed by the energy and dedication these two very busy employers bring to the project and our community.”
Furlong continued, “unfortunately, it’s clear that Richmond has a few popular areas to dump trash illegally. While 'no dumping' signs may deter a few bad actors, it seems like more significant action must be taken to protect our ecologically sensitive riparian areas and shorelines.”
Over 7,800 lbs of waste were taken off the shoreline and then sorted. Some of the finds included an incinerated oven, a vehicle bumper, laminate flooring, mattresses, clothing, wire insulation, industrial-sized tires, and propane tanks. Volunteers also removed a large amount of metal and styrofoam. This significant achievement was made possible by the dedication of over 60 volunteers and community partners.
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The Richmond Chamber of Commerce is a broad-based non-profit membership association, celebrating 100 years of commitment to make Richmond the most prosperous and favourable place to do business.
Media Contact:
Aleena Hussain
Communications & Events Manager
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
(604) 278-2822 ext. 103
aleenah@richmondchamber.ca
Trevor Burns
Marketing Director
Pro-Claim Group
(604) 276-2398
trevor@pcgroup.ca
Neal Lally
Director of Marketing
505-Junk
(604) 505-5865
neal.lally@505junk.com
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