volunteer safety

INDIVIDUAL CLEANUPS

Plogging and TrashTag are ways of doing individual cleanups. #TrashTag is taking a before and after picture of the area you cleaned up and posting it to social media.   #Plogging represents any form of outside exercise where you collect litter.

1. Safety is the first priority. Download the GOES App prior to the cleanup. Prepare, Assess & Decide.

2. Ensure that it is safe and permissible by local authorities.

3. Select an appropriate time and route for your cleanup. 

Choose a safe location: Your cleanup may be done in your neighborhood or even a nearby park!  

Select a route: Before heading out, know what route you want to take and calculate how long it will take. 

Time: Always do your cleanup in daylight and when weather conditions are suitable.  

4. During the cleanup 

- Gloves, litter pickers, litter getters and other pickup devices make it safer.

- Never touch the litter or your face during your cleanup. 

- Bring hand sanitizer, especially if you are somewhere where you are unable to wash your hands. - Only pick up litter that is safe to handle and can be easily disposed of or recycled.  

5. After the cleanup 

- Wash your hands as soon as possible.

- Disinfect all reusable equipment that was used during your cleanup.  - Publicize the success of your cleanup on social media. Tag us at @NationalCleanUpDay with the hashtag #NationalCleanUpDay, #TrashTag #Plogging. We love to feature our volunteers!    

LARGER CLEANUPS (20+ people)

1. Safety is the first priority. Download the GOES App prior to the cleanup. Prepare, Assess & Decide.

2. When planning a large community event, organize a suitable planning group:

  • Invite members from local government, civic organizations, clubs, homeowner associations, churches and  media to serve on a cleanup planning group

  • Having a diverse coalition can help the event run smoothly.

  • Ask your Mayor for a National CleanUp Day Proclamation - it’s  simple to do and your Mayor will usually make the proclamation annually without need for a vote. 

3. Select an appropriate site, date, and time:

  • Choose a public location: a park, a river, or a similar community site that is ideally accessible by public transportation or bicycle

  • Select a date: National CleanUp Day is on the Third Saturday in September, but your cleanup can occur anytime during the month of September

  • Time: Depending on where you are, choose a time that allows for plenty of daylight and comfortable temperatures for volunteers.

4. Before the Cleanup:

  • Determine the size of crew needed to clean each area

  • Determine transportation needs to get crews to and from the cleanup 

  • Determine what additional litter pickups will be required in areas where sanitation departments will not be available

  • Determine where crews if will need portable sanitary facilities

  • Online: Use Facebook or Eventbrite to create the event and manage volunteer sign up, and share event information

  • Offline: Put up posters around the neighborhood, on the elevator in your apartment building, on the bulletin board in your building, etc. Get creative!

5. Line up support and supplies and arrange for disposal and recycling:

  • Ask for donations of trash bags, refreshments, equipment.

  • Be sure that contributors get credit for their donations in cleanup promotion

6. Coordinate volunteers:

  • At sign-in, supply each crew member with several large trash bags and make it clear where each crew is to leave filled bags for pickup

  • Review safety, location of first aid kits, and who to call in case of emergencies

7. After the Cleanup:

  • Publicize the success of the event on social media - tag us at @NationalCleanUpDay and use the hashtag #NationalCleanUpDay

  •  Write thank you emails to all cooperating government officials, businesses, and organizations

The information for this checklist was provided courtesy of Keep America Beautiful, 1010 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT 06901.

National CleanUp Day is a national partner with Keep America Beautiful. Support your local affiliate and other organizations that provide support for your community.

Earth Day is April 22. Consider a spring cleanup too!