Plan Ahead and Organize

Organize and get ready for your clean-up event by using this easy to use guide to help you to figure out what needs to be done

Confirm

Illustration of Blue and White Empty Spiral Calendar Outline organize a cleanup

Date

Illustration of Yellow and White Clock with Alarm Bells on Top organize a cleanup

Time

Illustration of Green Map with Red Pin on Blue Circle to Indicate Location organize a cleanup

Location

Check Weather

Illustration of Yellow Sun organize a cleanup

Sun

Illustration of Blue Rain Cloud with Blue Raindrops organize a cleanup

Rain

Illustration of Blue Storm Cloud with Yellow Lightning organize a cleanup

Storms

Illustration of Thermometer with Red Reading High Temperature organize a cleanup

Heat

No Pets

Illustration of Brown Dog with Red Circle Crossed Out to Indicate No Dogs Allowed organize a cleanup

What to Wear

Protective clothing, bright colors

Illustration of Red Long Sleeve T-Shirt organize a cleanup

Long sleeves

Illustration of Blue Pants organize a cleanup

Pants

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Sturdy, closed-toed shoes

What to Bring

Illustration of Pair of Brown Working Gloves organize a cleanup

Gloves

Illustration of White and Yellow Sunscreen Bottle with Yellow Sun on Cover organize a cleanup

Sun gear/sunscreen

Illustration of Green Bottle with Black Ant in a Red Circle Crossed Out to Indicate No Bugs organize a cleanup

Bug spray

Illustration of Blue Reusable Water Bottle with Blue Water Drop on Cover organize a cleanup

Water bottle

Illustration of Yellow Bananas and Orange and Gray Energy Bar with Gray Lightning on Cover organize a cleanup

Snacks

Illustration of White Spiral Notebook with Red Phone and Green Emergency Contact Numbers on Cover organize a cleanup

Emergency contact numbers

Illustration of White First Aid Kit with Red Circle and White Cross in Middle organize a cleanup

Emergency medications and first aid kit

Illustration of Red Long Sleeve T-Shirt and Blue Pants organize a cleanup

Extra clothing

At the Event

When you get there

Illustration of Red Figure Pointing at Whiteboard with a Yellow, Blue, and Orange Figure in Audience

Check in with organizers and attend safety tailgate meeting

Illustration of Pair of Brown Working Gloves
Illustration of Yellow Reflective Vest with Black Stripes
Illustration of Green Rake with Brown Handle
Illustration of Gray Tied Trash Bag

Get supplies

Learn where to:

Check in with organizers and attend a safety tailgate meeting

  • Reach a team leader
  • Pick up litter
  • Not trespass
  • Put collected items
  • Park/carpool
Illustration of Sign Reading Private Property No Trespassing with Black Figure in a Red Circle Crossed Out to Indicate No People
Illustration of Gray Tied Trash Bag
Illustration of Blue Sign With P for Parking

Litter Pickup Safety

Illustration of Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, and Orange Figures Standing in Line

Work in small groups (6-10)

Illustration of Blue Headphones with Red Circle Crossed Out to Indicate No Headphones

No earbuds or headphones

Illustration of Two Blue Figures Carrying Brown Chair

Use common sense when lifting heavy objects. Get help!

Illustration of Orange Broken Glass Bottle and Brown Work Glove

Carefully handle sharp objects, aerosol cans, and chemical containers

Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for:

Illustration of Blue Eye with Back Arrows Pointing to a Yellow Snake, Green Leaf, and Red Car
  • Snakes, wasps and other pests in debris piles
  • Poison Ivy & Oak, unstable rocks, thorns, brambles
  • Broken glass
  • Oncoming vehicles

Picking Up Litter

Do not pick up litter if they are…

Illustration of Orange Bridge with Black Guardrail

On bridges

Illustration of Tunnel with Gray Road and Blue Ceiling

On or in tunnels, medians, overpasses

Illustration of Gray Highway with Yellow Dash Marks

Directly on roads

Notify your coordinator:

  • Toxins, poison, explosives, harmful or corrosive materials
  • Human or medical waste
  • Drug or drug waste
  • Weapons
  • Cannot identify
  • Worried about safety
Illustration of Black Skulls and Bones
Illustration of White Syringe with Blue Substance
Illustration of Gray Handgun

Picking Up Litter

Illustration of Green Circle with White Thumb Down

PUT IN BAGS

  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Plastic
  • Styrofoam
  • Wood
  • Rubber
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Empty bottles, cans and cups (do not remove lids or empty liquids)
Illustration of Red Circle with White Thumb Down

DO NOT PUT IN BAGS: Items that are

  • Large
  • Heavy
  • Sharp
  • Dead animals
  • Drum-like containers

WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT.

When You’re Done

Illustration of Person Talking into Ear

Report littered hot spots

Illustration of Blue Figure by Green Bin with Recycling Symbol and Trash Bag Inside

Put collected items in a designated place

Illustration of Brown Work Gloves, Yellow Reflective Work Vest with White Stripes, and Green Rake with Brown Handle

Return the cleanup supplies

Illustration of Hand Wearing Red Sleeve with Yellow Dispensing Bottle Pouring Gray Drop

Sanitize or wash hands

Illustration of Hand Holding Blue Phone Reading Nobody Trashes Tennessee

Post event photos and experiences to social media