Clean Up the Neighborhood
If you notice your community has a lot of litter, a neighborhood cleanup can have a significant impact on your local environment while building relationships with your neighbors.
The Environmental Protection Agency says mismanaged trash travels throughout the world’s rivers and oceans, and can also harm terrestrial wildlife and habitats.
Before organizing a community cleanup, you should find an area that people frequent for recreation or one that animals rely on. A few good places to investigate are public parks, neighborhood lakes and campgrounds. Perform a walkthrough to find the locations that require the most intervention, then begin planning an event.
Make it Public
Modern technology allows us to reach a mass audience with little effort. Take advantage of your social media following or community pages to express your concern about pollution in your area. You can also talk to municipal to discuss raising awareness to your neighbors and encouraging everyone to participate. For instance, they may display a flyer for your peers to view or send a letter in the mail announcing the details.
Stock Up on Supplies
Cleaning up trash requires adequate supplies to ensure volunteers are safe. Consider asking for donations for items like gloves, respirators and different colored trash bags to separate recyclables. When procuring supplies, reach out to local officials. They may have a surplus of safety equipment they can donate.
Dispose of Trash Properly
Depending on the size of the cleanup, you may be left with a lot of garbage to dispose of afterward. Remember to separate trash from reusable materials as you move toward a cleaner neighborhood.
It’s good practice to notify your local waste management facility to explain your intentions and arrange a pick-up time and date.
In many cases, the facility has programs designed to sponsor these events for no charge. However, if your local branch requires payment for pickup, you can factor the expense in as you fundraise.