How to Organise a Community Clean Up Event

So you want to do your bit for your neighbourhood and start a public, community clean up? 

Well, we doth our cap to you, we are proud of you...but it isn't going too be easy! 

Organising a community clean up is a very powerful way of bringing people of all walks of life together for one common goal...to make your neighbourhood cleaner and create a more positive environmental living area.

Well in this blog, we want to help you achieve this. By following the steps in this blog, you will have all the ammo that you need to load up that rubbish bag and get cleaning!  

Let’s dive into the steps on organising an epic litter clean up that every community can get behind!

Step-by-Step Guide to Organising a Community Clean up

You have got the idea in your head, you want to help your community...congratulations! Now it is time to put it all into action.

If you are a great thinker, but struggle with the doing side of things, don't worry...follow our steps below to ensure that you host the best possible community clean up event! 

Step 1: Set a Date

Time to pick a date! Now this doesn't seem crucial but it very well could be! Firstly, some people will not want to be cleaning up when it is raining cats & dogs or blowing a serious wind...so pick your date wisely and with enough time for you to organise everything. 

• Consider the Weather: The warmer the better. 
• Check Local Calendars: If possible, run your community clean up at the weekend, you have more chance of a higher attendance. 
• Plan Ahead: Give yourself enough time to set everything up and promote your clean up. 

Step 2: Identify the Clean up Area

This could be your local park, your favourite old school hang out spot...or somewhere that you and your neighbours like to use. If you are struggling to find the best spot, ask community members for their input. 

Also, ensure that the space if safe for volunteers to work in. 

Step 3: Gather Resources

Before you march to your local park & start binning everything and everyone (We don't condone that), you will need to make sure that you have all the resources that you will need for the community clean-up. 

The best way is to make a list of all the items, tools, food, drinks & anything else you may need. 

This could be: 

• Supplies: Trash Bags, Gloves, Recycling Bins, Shovels, Masks. 
• Refreshments: Now, you have to treat your volunteers to drinks & snacks! The best way to anyone's heart is through their stomach!
• First Aid Kit: Always have a first aid kit in case of any emergencies. 

If you are struggling for funding for your supplies, look at contacting local businesses for sponsorship or donations. Working alongside local businesses not only supports the community, but is an easy sell.

Most businesses would love to help!

Step 4: Promote the Clean-Up Event

Time to create some awareness. 

• Use Social Media: Facebook, Tikky Tokky, Twitter or X as they call it, Instagram, You can create event pages on all of these sites...which not only helps you get your clean up out there, but helps to keep track of who is attending and who have been invited!
• Flyers and Posters: Distribute flyers in your neighbourhood & local shops. 
• Word of Mouth: Get your contact list called! Ask close friends & family to share the event to others. 

Step 5: Prepare for the Day of the Event

• Setup a Meeting Point: Let everybody know where the first meeting point will be. Try and make it as close to where the clean up area is, if possible. 
• Briefing: Hold a light briefing before starting. Here, you can hand out supplies, have a light hearted chat about who is doing what and have a nice, lovely brew!

Step 6: Time To Clean up

• Lead by Example: This means getting down and dirty. If you have organised the event, you have to lead by example. This could be by being the first one into that fresh pile of mess, or assigning tasks or by motivating your fellow volunteers. 
• Stay Engaged: Keep spirits high with music or light snacks. Check in regularly with volunteers.
• Document the Event: Take photos and videos for your social media. 

Step 7: After Clean Up

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Ensure all collected rubbish and recyclables are disposed of properly. Use a fully licensed waste carrier...hint hint we have heard Busy Bins are good and really care about their community! 
• Thank Participants: Send a thank you message to everyone that attended the clean up or got involved in any way. This could be through emails or your social media pages. 
• Share Results: Report on the amount of waste collected and any positive changes observed. Highlight the impact on the community.

How to Recruit and Motivate Volunteers for Your Clean up Event

Time to get your marketing skills on!

Now you don't have to be a marketing expert to recruit volunteers, a simple Facebook page could well be enough to drum up the interest. If you don't understand the newest and latest tech, don't worry...you can always use leafleting companies to get your message across. 

Here are some great ways of recruiting volunteers & getting your message out there: 

• Social Media.
• Community Meetings.
• Local Council.
• Local Businesses.

Post-Event Follow-up: Celebrating Success and Maintaining Momentum

After a successful community clean up event (Congratulations). It’s crucial to celebrate the achievements and maintain the momentum you've built. 

This momentum can really help you for any future clean up events that you are wanting to run. 

Here are some great ways of celebrating & keeping your momentum going:

Celebrating Success

Social Media Highlights: Now that you have taken all the pics & documented the day...time to get it posted. Share all your photos & vids so that non attendees can really see what they missed out on. Tag all the local businesses who got supported your event. 

Press Release: Contact your local newspaper to champion your efforts. When it comes to trash and waste disposal, it can be a big talking point in communities, so you will find that your local papers would be more then happy to share your positive story. 

Thank You Notes: Send thank you notes to everyone who got involved, be it small or large. By doing this you are showing your gratitude to everyone that helped and acknowledge that you couldn't have done it without them. 

Keeping the Momentum Going

Regular Clean up Events: When one has been successful, make sure you strike whilst the iron is hot and create a regular schedule. This could be every month or every six. As long as people know when & where it will happen again, they will get involved. 

Community Partnerships: Work with local businesses or schools to create a network of clean up support. This will make it easier for you to get resources and tools in the future. 

Create a Community Calendar: Develop a community calendar that lists upcoming clean up events and related activities. Distributing this calendar can keep everyone informed and engaged.