MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's Earth Day, and at Pete's Fruit Market Wednesday, an annual tradition kicked off with the goal of making Milwaukee the cleanest city in the country. 

Big Clean MKE is an initiative that encourages residents to give back and preserve the beauty of our hometowns. 

More than 60 community groups will host neighborhood cleanups this year, with supplies being provided to volunteers. 

We spoke with a volunteer who thinks giving back sets a good example for the younger generation. 

"To put a good image out there for the younger people -- if they see people cleaning around their age or older, they are more likely to come out as well," volunteer Kendraya Thomas said. "If we keep the community clean, they will probably come visit more often if it's clean and all that."

Big Clean MKE is held in memory of Special Enforcement Inspector Greg "Ziggy" Zyskiewicz, who lost his life during an attempted carjacking in 2017 while working for the City of Milwaukee.   

If you're interested in helping the citywide effort, click here.