After a cup of coffee, watching the morning news, and reading The Daily Review, Jim and Maria Guthrie begin their daily morning walk. They put on their caps, grab some bags, slip on gloves and stroll the neighborhood, picking up trash they encounter along the way.

After their retirement, the Guthries started walking to exercise. They have walked the perimeter of the same tract in Hayward for six years, which makes a figure eight through their neighborhood.

“We saw that there was a lot of trash and we thought we might as well be the ones who cleaned up because it was apparent that no one else wanted to do it,” said Maria, explaining the reason they began picking up trash.

During their walk, Maria carries two reusable bags and Jim carries a plastic bag. One of Maria’s bags is used for recyclable items and the other is for “junk,” as she refers to it. They recycle what they can and the rest goes into the garbage.

“I see them walking every single morning, picking up trash and always greeting others with a smile,” said David Phillip, who has been walking the neighborhood for the past two years.  “It makes me feel … happy, knowing that people like them, who care about the environment, are still out there.”

The Guthries say they have found enough clothes on the street to furnish a closet.  The couple has found everything from undergarments, shoes, slacks and sweaters to various personal belongings.

“We have found four wallets, multiple credit cards, keys, etc.,” said Maria. “We either mail them to the owner or take them to the Hayward Police Department,” she added.

Maria washes the clothes she finds in fairly good condition and donates them to Goodwill.

The walks are something they take part in knowing there is little to no money involved. Since they began walking, the Guthries have collected $99.32 in pennies alone. With a smile Maria explains that it “obviously does not pay well.”

The walk originally began as a trio Jim, Maria and their neighbor Jeannie, whose last name will remain anonymous due to family privacy, walked for about four years, said Maria.

Maria explained Jeannie helped as much as she could before she became ill and died of cancer in 2010.

The couple, who are in their 70’s, originally moved to Hayward in the mid 60’s after meeting each other in Sacramento.  Now that they are both retired, they spend a lot of time enjoying their favorite hobbies; Jim likes his classic cars and Maria likes reading books and watching movies.

Their interests meet on their daily walks; helping to give back to the neighborhood while enjoying each other’s company and discussing plans of travel and leisure.  Next year, they will embark to China together to see the Great Wall.

A nearby resident, who has lived close to the Guthries for the past 56 years, said he has noticed the difference in cleanliness on the streets. “It’s terrific, you see how clean the neighborhood is,” Miles Robertson said walking his dog.

Along Depot Road is where Jim and Maria feel needs the most help from their daily walks. Their theory is the bulk of the trash comes from the fast food joints and gas stations close by, but they are not the only ones who aid in cleaning those areas.

“The City Maintenance Department removes trash and debris reported on a daily basis,” said Maintenance Services Director, Matt McGrath. “The city has many programs [that] deal with litter,” he added.

Along with street sweeping programs that visit residential and industrial areas twice a month, there is a weekend litter program. City staff removes trash and debris on the weekends and supervises court referrals picking up trash on those days.

The City of Hayward incorporated continued efforts to become sustainable by creating a “Go Green” campaign. They have many projects and programs that aim for a more environmentally conscientious community.

The Keep Hayward Clean or Green task force is one of these programs that deals with litter, in which volunteers pick up trash along side streets to help keep the city tidy.

The concept of the Clean or Green task force initially started with Mayor Michael Sweeney in 2006, and became official 2007, explained Blytha Bowers, chair of the task force.

Their stated mission is to preserve the environment and enhance the visual appearance of the city by picking up loose trash, according to the city of Hayward website. The joint efforts of individuals, volunteer groups, industrial businesses and municipal resources help make this possible, according to Bowers.

Adopt-a-Block is another program that helps with enhancing the visual aspect of the city.  The city of Hayward website says the program allows individuals, businesses and other groups to select an area they would prefer to keep litter free.

Earth Day will be held on April 20, McGrath mentioned that Hayward is to hold a citywide cleanup day at Weekes Park in Hayward.

Even with aid from the city, the Guthries still find trash and abandoned belongings every day on their routine walks. They feel it is very important for others to get involved in the Green Movement in one way or another, according to Maria.

“We absolutely feel that picking up trash helps keep neighborhoods clean,” Maria expressed.

Her feelings toward keeping the Hayward area clean never falter as she explains she and her husband’s constant “get up and go” attitude when it comes to litter