Community Clean-Ups

Sustain: Plan a Community Clean-Up

Are you searching for a hands-on way to care for our planet while connecting with your community? Join or start a clean-up event!

We’ve explored the impact that waste has on our environment, and litter not only takes away from the beauty of nature but it also impacts our physical and mental health. More than 33% of trash is not managed in an environmentally safe way. By 2050, the world is expected to increase waste generation by 70%. So, what are the basics for planning a community clean-up? It’s simple!

Earthday.org provides an interactive map to find clean-ups scheduled in your area. With a few steps and volunteers, you can arrange a clean-up in spots from parks to beaches to any landmark with plenty of visitors. After picking a location, grab tools such as heavy-duty bags, trash grabbers, gloves, hand sanitizer, and a first aid kit, and find a place to dispose of all you collect.

Counties share information online about where items can be sent – don’t forget to sort by glass, paper, and plastic, which is easiest to do as you clean. Waste Management offers an online tool to find nearby trash and recycling drop-off locations. Some companies will stop by to pick up items directly, such as Call2Recycle, which collects electronics such as batteries.

Getting together for a clean-up is a perfect way to bond with your family, friends, and neighbors. You don’t need to spend all day, either! Just 30 minutes spent picking up waste leaves long-lasting impacts on wildlife, air quality, and human health. Plus, you are returning the beauty to natural, local areas that need your help.

Earth Day encourages you to register your clean-ups so that those in the area can join in, and their checklist is a perfect place to get started!

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