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.
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Getting Prepared
1. Choose a location.
2. Fill out DSNY’s Volunteer Cleanup Application.
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Spread the Word
1. Post your event on our Volunteer Hub.
2. Share with your community.
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Let's Clean Up!
1. Come prepared and bring tools and first aid kit.
2. Give volunteer briefing to keep everyone safe.
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Wrap Up
1. Acknowledge volunteers’ contributions and tag us @sanitationfoundation in your posts.
2. Complete our Post Event Report.
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
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.
