Host a Community Litter Cleanup

Leading a Successful Cleanup

Sanitation Foundation's comprehensive guide to hosting a community litter cleanup event in New York City.

Follow the easy steps and learn more about the resources and support offered by DSNY and the Sanitation Foundation.

Sanitation Foundation Volunteer Hub

Your go-to destination for citywide volunteer cleanup opportunities.

Are you a community group currently organizing cleanups in NYC? Joining our network will allow you to use our volunteer management platform to easily share your group's information and promote your events to a broader audience. You can also use the platform to register participants and manage your volunteers.
Not sure if your group qualifies? Reach out to us at communitystewards@sanitationfoundation.org.

Cleanup Tool Grants

The Sanitation Foundation awards tool grants to neighborhood cleanup groups throughout New York City as a part of its larger Community Stewards Program, which aims to support and empower local, community-led, neighborhood cleanup efforts.

Organizing cleanups with your classroom or youth group? Apply for a Youth Ed Kit.

Community Cleanup Resources

Want to get started hosting cleanups in your community? Our Community Cleanup Resources explain how to lead impactful neighborhood litter cleanups and share best practices from the Sanitation Foundation, NYC Department of Sanitation, and experienced community cleanup group organizers from across the city.

DSNY Volunteer Cleanup Application

We partner with NYC Department of Sanitation to provide a tool loan program for community groups to borrow brooms, shovels, rakes, bags and gloves for their own neighborhood cleanup projects.

It is not necessary to borrow tools from DSNY to receive trash collection for your cleanup.

Post Event Report

Please complete this brief survey for every community cleanup you host, within 2 weeks of the event date, to help document your important work and impact.

Community Cleanup Webinars

How to: Organize a Community Cleanup

In this introductory session, we cover:

  • Identifying a location for a cleanup 

  • Gathering tools and supplies 

  • Community outreach efforts

  • Volunteer recruitment

  • Event planning and impact reporting 

Cómo Organizar un Evento de Limpieza Comunitaria

La capacitación cubrirá las mejores prácticas para:

  • Identificar un lugar para limpiar

  • Elegir las herramientas y suministros necesarios

  • Realizar estrategias de promoción entre la comunidad

  • Reclutar Voluntarios

  • Planificar eventos e informes de impacto

How to: Create An Impactful Cleanup Event

Our second webinar offers organizers additional information and resources for engaging volunteers & community partners by covering:

  • Best practices for volunteer recruitment & retention

  • Ways to cultivate community partnerships

  • Available resources from DSNY & the Sanitation Foundation to support cleanup efforts

  • A panel discussion with community cleanup organizers

  • Opportunity for Q & A

How to: Access Community Cleanup Funding

Our third webinar will cover how to secure funding for your events—whether you are an individual, community group, or a registered nonprofit.

  • Overview of Organization Types

  • Applying for Grants

  • Grant Opportunities

  • Tools & Supply Donations

  • Fundraising

  • Registered Nonprofits

  • Panel Discussion & Questions

THANK YOU

These resources were created in partnership with the New York City Department of Sanitation, in collaboration with Abuela Neighborhood Maintenance, Clean Bushwick Initiative, The Litter Legion & STR8OUTTABKLYN, and made possible with support by ABNY & NYC Service.