Litter Program: Clean Up Cuyahoga
The Clean Up Cuyahoga program provides supplies for groups and organizations to use for litter clean ups and neighborhood improvements.
Are you ready to clean up litter and improve your neighborhood?
We encourage everyone to pick up litter in Cuyahoga County. Our Clean Up Cuyahoga program provides supplies to groups, organizations and schools that want to get involved. Request supplies, clean up a space, and post it on social media. Show your pride by tagging #CuyahogaRecycles too.
In 2012, the Solid Waste District launched the Clean Up Cuyahoga program to provide litter clean-up supplies for groups to use year-round. We hope these supply kits will encourage adults and youth to improve their environment by cleaning their neighborhood, area, or school. It also helps develop and encourage civic pride.
Any organization or adult representative of a school or youth group interested in performing a service learning project may request to borrow Clean Up Cuyahoga supplies. The supply kits are designed for groups of up to 30.
Clean-up supply kits include litter grabbers, gloves, safety vests, and trash bags. Items are loaned to groups and must be returned to the Solid Waste District.
Request Supplies for a Clean Up Cuyahoga Activity
- Complete the request form for Clean Up Cuyahoga event supplies.
- Your request will be reviewed within five business days. Our education specialist will notify you when your request is approved. The supply kit will be available for pick up from the District's office during normal business hours, Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
- Clean Up Cuyahoga supplies are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplies should be returned, clean and in good condition, to the District no later than one week after the event.
- We like results! After the project, complete a Clean Up Cuyahoga event report and share your results: bags of trash collected, bags of recyclables collected and the number of participants. And, we love photos! Please include any video or digital pictures taken at the clean-up event. Submit your report and photo(s) within a month of your event. Finally, show your pride on social media by tagging #CuyahogaRecycles.
Questions? Contact Carin Miller at (216) 443-3731 or by email.
Comments About Clean Up Cuyahoga
Our original Cuyahoga Clean Up day had to be canceled because of the weather. Two classes were able to join together and complete the activity together. Most of the students were happy to be helping our environment by picking up litter. The students were very surprised that there was so much trash and that people really threw trash on the ground. I think that it changed the students' outlook on littering because they actually had to look at the amount of trash people throw on the ground. Most of the time, the students just walk by the litter and don't pay it any attention. -- Rhondala Jackson-Bizuneh, Al Ihsan School, Parma
Find a Local Clean Up Effort
The following organizations offer litter and beach clean-ups on a regular basis. Contact them directly for more information.
A nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes. Organizes local beach clean ups.
Watershed group that welcomes volunteers for keeping beaches and streams in good shape heading into the summer season.
Organizes litter clean ups and neighborhood beautification projects in the City of Cleveland.
Clean & Green Cleveland Litter Trailer (Cleveland Neighborhood Progress)
Offered seasonally, the Clean & Green Cleveland trailer is stocked with landscaping tools and cleanup supplies to assist with beautification and clean up efforts and events in Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
Volunteer opportunities for projects including beach clean-ups, grounds maintenance, and trail work.
Plogging combines the activities of jogging and picking up litter. This local group organizes events to encourage Clevelanders to plog.
Some community green teams organize beautification projects and clean ups. Connect with a green team in your area.
Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District
Implements programs and practices that protect and restore healthy soil and water resources. Organizes regular stream clean-ups.
Doan Brook Watershed Partnership
Facilitates and supports conservation and restoration projects within the Doan Brook watershed. Organizes litter cleanups and storm drain marking programs.
An international nonprofit organization focused on solving water equity and quality issues. Organizes regular beach clean-ups.
Riversweep (Canalway Partners)
Started in 1989, RiverSweep is a one-day litter cleanup in May that focuses on protecting the Cuyahoga River by removing garbage from the Cuyahoga River Corridor.
Surfrider Foundation - Northern Ohio
Dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. The Northern Ohio chapter regularly organizes local beach clean-ups.
Organizes litter clean-ups on the Cuyahoga River via kayak.