How to Plan a Community Cleanup
Community volunteers picking up trash in Mid City
Community cleanups are an important key to maintaining the health and appeal of neighborhoods, public spaces, and the overall environment. They also empower local change and foster strong connections between residents. Organizations like Keep Jackson Beautiful (a Keep Mississippi Beautiful and a Keep America Beautiful affiliate), the City of Jackson, AmeriCorps NCCC, and Volunteer Mississippi offer cleanup programs and/or assistance to community groups that want to beautify the local area. If you are looking to plan a community cleanup for your neighborhood or area, then follow the suggestions outlined below.
Cleanup Event Steps:
1. Define the purpose of your project and determine the area of focus
2. Gather a team
3. Set a date
4. Complete an application with Keep Jackson Beautiful
5. Find sponsors to help fund the initiative
6. Find volunteers by contacting Volunteer Mississippi
7. Create and distribute flyers and other promotional materials
8. Develop a plan including tools and materials needed, budget and day-of instructions
9. Execute
10. Share your results with Jackson Association of Neighborhoods by sending stories, data, and/or photos to info@jxnneighborhoods.com.
Before the event:
• Organize a cleanup committee of family, friends and neighbors who share your passion for the cause
• Visit the area you are planning to clean
• Determine if the area is public or private property. Make sure you obtain written permission to host your event at that location
• Determine areas to target and set boundaries
• Take “before” photos
• Register your event with the Keep Jackson Beautiful
• Contact your local sanitation or public works department to see if they advise you to use any special trash bags/receptacles or if they can provide hauling services for bulk items
• Prepare with equipment you’ll need (bags, gloves, litter pickers, rakes, shovels, etc.), any permissions required, and make volunteers aware of equipment needed and appropriate clothing they should wear
Day of event:
• Set up an assembly area for volunteers to gather before and after the cleanup
• Ensure you have all materials (i.e. trash bags, gloves)
• Arrange collection locations for filled litter bags and bulky items
• Conduct a safety talk at the beginning of the activity so volunteers know how to pick up litter safely
• Assign volunteer responsibilities
• Have a first-aid kit on hand, and provide access to water
• Take photos during the event
• Record your results (i.e. number of litter bags) and take “after” photos (the best “after” photos are taken from the same location you took the “before” photos)
For more information about hosting a community cleanup and registering your event, visit Keep Jackson Beautiful’s website.
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