PITCH-IN CANADA
Local Governments can reduce the costs of managing waste and provide a Leadership Role in initiating voluntary PITCH-IN Programs

PITCH-IN CANADA's programs are volunteer driven....that's what makes them so successful in your community. However, PITCH-IN CANADA as well as our volunteer programs need support from local government.

Has your Community become a Patron of PITCH-IN CANADA? Why not join now? Click here

There are several other ways you can provide direct assistance:

• 1.	Community-wide Coordination Getting community groups to "link-up" to work towards a common goal - a cleaner environment - requires a community-wide perspective and a basic infrastructure to put groups in touch with each other. That's where local government can help. Offer Coordinating Services for your community's PITCH-IN Program: whether that involves participating in a short-term program such as the PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK Program or implementing a long-term educational program to reduce waste management costs and promote CIVIC PRIDE. For information about the PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK Program click here. For information about the CIVIC PRIDE Program, access our Resource Centre For information about "Adopt" Programs, access our Resource Centre As part of the community-wide campaign, provide schools and other groups with educational/motivational materials to promote the clean-up campaign and to encourage long-term behavioural change. It's difficult for one community to produce these materials and that's why they are available from PITCH-IN CANADA. Click for information about materials you can purchase.
  2.	Disposal of Waste Help volunteers dispose of waste collected during a clean-up of your community. Whether your community handles its own waste collection or contracts out, ask the sanitation workers to pitch-in on their time off or include it in their weekly workload. Unions have been great supporters of PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK as it provides an opportunity to work with the community, and the efforts of the volunteers allows their members to get on with other tasks. If your community contracts out then contact the contractor. Often they are happy to provide extra dumpsters for major clean-ups...and pick them up ...at no cost.
  3.	Free Landfill Privileges Most waste collected by volunteers during PITCH-IN WEEK and other clean-up activities is disposed in household / business / school garbage. However, in major clean-ups of ravines, illegal dump sites and similar areas, metal parts, tires, appliances and large volumes of waste are collected which may require special disposal. Local governments can offer assistance such as free landfill privileges for groups undertaking major clean-ups.
  4.	Offer Free Garbage Bags Provide volunteers with free garbage bags. In some areas these bags are available free from PITCH-IN CANADA where the campaign receives local sponsor support or where the local community is a Patron of PITCH-IN CANADA. Volunteers like using them to be part of the provincial/national/international campaign to help clean up the world. Supply every participating group with a few imprinted bags and supplement them with less-expensive bags. For information about imprinted PITCH-IN Garbage Bags click here.
  5.	Provide Recognition Volunteers like being thanked and recognized for a job well done. It encourages their commitment to keeping the community clean and to staying involved. PITCH-IN CANADA has, in cooperation with Scouts Canada and several other voluntary groups, developed various recognition items. In addition, if you register your project, you can also download a free computer file containing the official Certificate of Participation for reproducing/photocopying/personalizing. For Registration Form and Certificate of Participation click here. To recognize volunteers with crests, hats and buttons click here.
  6.	Involve local Politicians, the Media and Volunteer Leaders in a KICK-OFF to your PITCH-IN Campaign Getting your community's campaign off to a well-publicized start is important. Involving political leaders helps volunteers realize the importance of their contribution and also helps politicians appreciate the value of volunteerism in your community's PITCH-IN Campaign. For details on The Fastest Broom Contest to assist you with a local kick-off and to help generate media involvement in, and attention to, your Program access our Resource Centre
  7.	Consider adopting a long-term solution to the waste management problems plaguing your community PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK is only a short-term solution to a much larger, on-going problem. A sustained, long-term, program is required to change attitudes and behaviour by individuals, businesses and the community at large, and to reduce waste management costs. For further information about a long-term program, review the information about The Civic Pride Program for Local Communities access our Resource Centre
  8.	Participate in The National Civic Pride Recognition Program Your community can attain bronze, silver or gold level recognition - depending on your achievements in keeping your community clean and beautiful. For further information about The National Civic Pride Recognition Program for Local Communities click here.
  9.	Become a Patron of PITCH-IN CANADA If you appreciate the information and service we provide then become a Patron of PITCH-IN CANADA. We are a national, non-profit, charitable organization. We rely on support from communities to continue. It's easy to delay your support....but please don't....we need your donation, whatever the amount. For information about the benefits of becoming a Patron, click here