Contact Energy removed 14 trashed vehicles from a Boulton Rd site yesterday morning in the first of many planned activities in the town this week.
Central Otago District Council waste minimisation officer Sophie Mander said unwanted cars had been dumped on the site owned by Land Information New Zealand for years.
"I don't think there has ever been a clean-up of the area like this. The seven Contact staff are also removing construction waste, broken glass and other rubbish material from the land," she said.
Boulton Rd was frequently used by people for walking, running, cycling, and other recreational purposes, she said.
"It will make such a huge difference when it's not littered with abandoned vehicles," Ms Mander said.
World Environment Day is being celebrated in Alexandra by the Sustainable Living Programme Steering Group which comprises the CODC, Central Otago Reap and Central Otago WasteBusters.
Ms Mander said more abandoned vehicles would be removed from a Ngapara Ponds site today, in conjunction with other activities, including sustainable living and environment awareness workshops, movies, and voluntary cleaning and recycling tasks.
"As little as possible will go to landfill sites. It reminds us that all these things around our district are resources, and are not to be just thrown away," she said.
The town's involvement in World Environment Day is a trial for coming years, when Ms Mander hopes to see similar activities planned throughout the district's communities.
Activities in Alexandra today and tomorrow will take place at the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, Central Otago WasteBusters, Girl Guides Hall and the Alexandra Library.
