PITCH-IN CANADA
Resource Centre

Action Projects to Improve the Environment

Litter Clean-Up and
Recycling Campaigns

If no one littered and every one reduced, reused and recycled their waste, then we wouldn't have any litter.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as concerned about the environment as you are. Litter clean-ups can result in impressive improvements to your local environment and draw attention to the waste disposal problem that exists.

Promote Your Clean Up!

• The first step in conducting a successful clean-up is to promote it. By involving volunteers in action projects you have a unique opportunity to make them (and the community) aware of the waste/litter/pollution problems in your school, community or area.
• Take advantage, before the clean-up, to explain the problems associated with improper waste management practices and get the volunteers excited about being part of the solution on clean-up day. Make sure the media is aware of your project. For a sample media release, suggestions to involve the media and free media resources click here.
• If you publish a newsletter or plan to distribute a flyer about your project, use the PITCH-IN logos. To access our free public service advertising logos check our Media Centre or right click on our logo on this page and save to your computer.
• Ask your Town Council to proclaim PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK and ask them for help collecting and disposing the material you collect.

  The PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK Proclamation - click here

  For information about decals, hats, videos and other materials available from PITCH-IN CANADA to help promote your campaign and the "message" click here.

  For suggestions on involving the media click here.

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Logistics and Safety

• Make sure someone is in charge of your clean up and ensure that participants can easily recognize the coordinator during the clean up.
• Select locations in your community which require "sprucing up". These may include vacant lots, neighbourhoods, streams, ravines and other areas. If you register your project for PITCH-IN CANADA Week you will be able to tell us what you plan to do to improve your community's environment! To register for PITCH-IN CANADA Week click here
• Check the area(s) you plan to clean before the day of the clean-up. Consider the safety of volunteers and think about how you will remove the litter/garbage you collect. Ravines or vacant lots, especially, can often generate substantial quantities of debris. Contact your local government for help if collected debris will need to be picked up.

  For more information about conducting a safe clean-up click here.

  For a brochure listing activities your municipality can do to assist click here.

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Garbage Bags/Disposal

• Make sure that you have a supply of garbage bags or other containers to collect the litter. In some areas, special "PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK" bags may be available free, courtesy of sponsors or local governments.

  If you are not in one of these areas, ask your local government, a service club, or local businesses to provide you with bags.You can also ask participants to bring shopping bags - you will be re-using a resource!

  For information about PITCH-IN garbage bags click here.

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Make it Fun and involve Others!

• To draw attention to your clean-up, why not get your participants to wear fancy (and funky) dress to attract the attention of the media. Invite local dignitaries to participate (DJ's, TV Weatherman, Mayor and others).
• Consider inviting others to join your project. For example: local schools, youth groups such as Scouts and Guides, service clubs, seniors groups and others.
• Invite staff of local fast-food outlets and corner stores, often sources of litter in a community, to help with your project.

For specific information which you can provide to your local government, businesses and others explaining how they can PITCH-IN and do their share for improving the environment click here.
 

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Wind-Up and Recognition

• At the end of the clean-up, consider organizing a wind-up party or a barbecue with food donated by local businesses, fast food outlets or your Community Council.
• Make sure you recognize everyone for "pitching-in", including guests and dignitaries. PITCH-IN CANADA provides a free Certificate of Participation which you can retrieve from this Web Site and print, adding names of participants. To access the Certificate you will need to register your project with PITCH-IN CANADA.

  To register click here.

  PITCH-IN CANADA has many recognition items for volunteers and supporters available including pins and buttons. For details click here.

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Leave a Lasting Impression

• Look around your clean-up area. Are litter containers - or more of them - needed? Or perhaps the existing containers do not stand out enough? Discuss the container problem with the local authorities or schoolboard.
• Offer your clean-up crew's services to paint and spruce-up existing or new containers. PITCH-IN CANADA also has bright, weather resistant PITCH-IN decals and PITCH-IN stencils for spray painting to help effectively identify your litter containers.

For information on PITCH-IN decals click here.

To return to the Action Projects to Improve the Environment menu click here.