When you look around some parts of your town and see a need for a good cleaning, take action. Community cleanups are a fun, productive, and ultimately beneficial way to add some sparkle and civic pride to the place. Follow along as we detail six steps to setting up a community cleanup. Approach your local government and fellow citizens and present a plan to pick up trash and improve life for everyone.
Find the Issue/Set a Goal
While the idea of cleaning the entire community is admirable, it’s typically not a realistic goal. Some cleanups, including oil spills and hazardous waste, are the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations, while various departments in local government maintain most public property. Aim to clean up an overlooked spot, like a neglected lot or piece of ignored property. Make a goal to clear it of refuse by a certain date, then draft that in a plan you can present to others.
Build Support
More than likely, if an area is a particular eyesore, you’re not the only one who’s noticed. Gather support from the community. Speak with residents, schools, organizations, businesses, and others who may notice the mess during daily outings. By reaching out to those the mess affects, you’ll quickly gather a team of like-minded individuals willing to help, promote, and participate in your project. Be sure to form a committee as well.
Make Plans
You and the committee need to finalize your plan to pick up. Choose the best possible date for everyone to show up and clean up. Write down all the necessary supplies. Trash bags, shovels, gloves, trash pickers, cleaners, and dumpsters are standard. Figure out where the collected trash will go afterward. Seek sponsorship and buy-in from the local government and business folks who can provide posters, printed T-shirts, and refreshments to promote the event.
Get the Word Out
Announce the cleanup and need for volunteers through posters, social media, fliers, and word of mouth. Don’t forget important details such as time, place, contact information, and other facts possible participants will need to know. Encourage word of mouth among your volunteers, suggest ways to build excitement and anticipation, and ask every volunteer to convince at least two friends or family members to come.
Prepare for the Big Day
Keep a checklist of the supplies you need and get verification that they’ll be ready when the day arrives. Create a list of jobs and assign them to different volunteers in advance. Some folks should pick up trash, while others will dispose of it. Stronger volunteers should be ready to handle bigger and heavier jobs. Some folks will be painters or graffiti blasters, while others will remove old foliage and replace it with new plants.
Make It Fun!
Here’s the last of our six steps to setting up a community cleanup. Just because it’s hard work doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Reward workers afterward with a small party, recognition ceremony, eco-friendly merch such as reusable water bottles, and the like. Then set a date for the next cleanup!
