Citywide Spring Cleanup

Do I need to register?

No pre-registration is necessary. Stop by your local kickoff site any time between 9am-11:30am on April 22 to check in and pick up bags and gloves. Then head out to collect litter at your park or neighborhood of choice.

What do I do with my full bags of garbage?

Full bags of litter can be deposited in or next to any City of Saint Paul Parks garbage can. You can also drop full bags at one of the many drop-sites around the city. Please deposit bags at drop-sites by noon. Check back for a map of drop-off locations. 

Can I drop off household items like appliances and TVs?

NO! This is a volunteer event for cleaning up litter. This event does not collect household items. For more information on how to dispose of household items, please refer to the Citywide Drop-off Event Page.

What is the weather policy?

This is a rain or shine event, however, it may be cancelled in the case of severe weather, such as thunderstorms, or if there is snow cover preventing trash from being visible. In the event of a Citywide Spring Cleanup cancellation, we will post a notice on on this page. We will make every effort to post a cancellation notice by 4pm the day before the event, however, April weather can be unpredictable and a cancellation is possible on event day. Please monitor the Citywide Spring Cleanup webpage for updates as the event nears.

Where do I pick up gloves and bags?

Stop by your local kickoff site any time between 9am-11:30am on April 22 to check in and pick up bags and gloves. See below for a list of kickoff locations. 

No pre-registration is necessary. Stop by your local kickoff site any time between 9am-11:30am on April 22 to check in and pick up bags and gloves. Then head out to collect litter at your park or neighborhood of choice.

Thank you to our 2023 volunteer site hosts!

Participate in an important community science project!

In Saint Paul, our storm drains flow into the Mississippi River, bringing trash and pollution from our streets along for the ride. As the headwater state, we have a responsibility to keep the river clean for all communities downstream of us. During the Citywide Spring Cleanup, and anytime you pick up trash in the future, using the Marine Debris Tracker will help contribute to science and to the health of the Mississippi River. Select the MRCTI tab to make sure your information makes it to the right place.

Community volunteers of any experience level can help track litter to help scientists, policy-makers, businesses, and community members take informed action. Data that you collect in your neighborhood will be part of the national Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative, the first data snapshot to combat plastic pollution along one of the world’s greatest waterways. (NOTE: Be sure to select the “MRCTI” tab when you open the app for the first time so your data is included in the initiative)

Storm drains flow directly to local lakes, rivers, and wetlands, acting as a conduit for trash and organic pollutants. Adopt-a-Drain asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution.

Visit their website to learn more about participating!

The Come Clean program offers multiple ways to get involved. You supply the time, energy and enthusiasm and we will supply the trash bags, gloves and many thanks. Businesses and individuals who Adopt-a-Block can request a window cling or lawn sign in recognition of their efforts. 

One-time Litter Cleanup:  

• Choose an area to collect litter, such as a sidewalk, boulevard, park, or other area that is important to you.
• Collect litter along or with a group.
• Place bagged litter in your own trash container. If disposal at home is not possible, you may request a pick-up of collected materials.  

Apply for a One-Time Litter Cleanup

Adopt-a-Block:

• Agree to clean up litter on a block for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Clean the block a minimum of 4 times per year. 
• Adopt all four (4) sides of the block, including the alley if there is one.
• Clean the public sidewalks, curbs, boulevards, and storm drains, corner-to-corner including the alley.
  • Clean up at storm drains may include removing litter and leaves/organic material.
• Place bagged litter in your own trash container and organic debris in a backyard compost bin or deliver to a Ramsey County yard waste site.
• If disposal at home or delivery to the yard waste site is prohibitive, you may request a pick-up of materials. 

Apply to Adopt-a-Block

Adopt-a-Container:

• The City will provide a trash container on a corner where litter volume is high.
• Agree to maintain the container for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Supply and maintain plastic bags in the containers at all times and keep the surrounding area clear of litter and other refuse. 
• Remove the filled bags and dispose of them in their own refuse container/dumpster. 
• Notify the Come Clean coordinator if the container suffers from graffiti or other damage.

Apply to Adopt-a-Container