How to Lead Cleanup Activities in a Public Place
A cleanup activity is a simple project you can complete solo or with friends to give a neglected part of your neighborhood a little TLC by disposing of forgotten waste.
Recipe
1. Pick a spot.
Whether it’s a park or a nearby body of water, decide where you feel comfortable getting a little messy (with protected hands, of course!).
2. Grab your supplies.
Gloves and a trash bag might be sufficient, but we encourage you to collect additional supplies (like a wheelbarrow and trash-pickers). Consider:
- Asking a neighbor
- Reaching out to your public works department to see if they can lend additional tools
- Checking to see if you can locate a tool library near you
3. Research.
Permits may be required to perform your clean up if you've chosen an area that's privately owned.
4. Call a friend.
Or even ask your family if they wouldn't mind spending part of your day together leaving wherever you're hanging out that day cleaner than when you found it.
5. Go for it!
Once you’ve selected a location and gathered your supplies, feel free to begin your clean up. Depending on how it goes, you can perform another clean up according to your schedule, or even take it to the next level and make it a community project.
Nutritional Information
How this recipe has nurtured a community
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist.
Finishing Touch
If you're interested in learning more about how simple a cleanup activity can be, check out this story by Angel Eduardo to hear how Isabel Nicolesson turned a weekend getaway into a spontaneous community beautification project with her friends.