From March 20 to June 21, thousands of individual volunteers and groups all over the country will participate in activities to clean up roadways, waterways and public spaces. The Great American Cleanup (GAC) takes place annually. The event has an estimated 500,000 volunteers taking part in 15,000 community events nationwide. This is thanks to the efforts of the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) network, which includes 700 affiliates and partner organizations.
While this year’s focus is on litter removal to achieve their goal, there are many ways to get involved. Great American Cleanup events can include:
- Removing litter and debris from roadsides, highways, shorelines, and waterways
- Planting trees, flowers, and gardens to beautify communities
- Cleaning and restoring nature trails, recreation areas, and playgrounds
- Community recycling events
- Community Education
No matter how you choose to participate, every action helps create a cleaner, more beautiful America!
WHAT’S NEW IN 2025
The Greatest American Cleanup is Keep America Beautiful’s Vision for Making America Look its Best for Our Nation’s 250th Birthday
As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, Keep America Beautiful set an ambitious goal this year. They want to remove 25 billion pieces of litter from parks, waterways, and public spaces by July 4, 2026.
To make this vision a reality, KAB is calling on groups of all kinds—big or small, young or old, nonprofits, government agencies, schools, book clubs, and more—across the U.S. to take the pledge, clean up their communities, and inspire others to do the same.
Individuals can make an impact, too! Whether you’re picking up litter solo or organizing a community cleanup, your efforts matter. Sign up to take the pledge here.
Every piece of litter removed brings us one step closer to a cleaner, more beautiful America. Share your cleanup results here and be part of the solution!
TENNESSEE SUPPORTS THE GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP
Here in our state, we are proud to have an amazing partnership with Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB), the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is a proud supporter and funder of this organization. This partnership is an important alliance to help reduce litter on our state roadways. We can all do more when we work together to help end littering in our state.
There are many ways you can get involved in this year’s Great American Cleanup events. Check out our Cleanup Event Calendar to find a cleanup event near you.
We are excited to continue this proud mission to keep Tennessee and America beautiful, and we can’t do it without you! Let’s get out there and help clean up our state!
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