Citywide Cleanup Volunteer Events

Drop in to any of the events below to help clean up our Saint Paul parks and neighborhoods. 

Follow these easy steps to host your own cleanup event:

• Pick your own date, time and location (park, sidewalk or trail).
• Fill out our litter cleanup request form 
• Receive supplies from Parks and Recreation or bring your own trash bags and gloves from home.
• Pick up trash while maintaining a safe distance from any road.
• Dispose of the bags in your own trash bin at home or place next to a trash bin in any city park.

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 or dispose of the bags in your home trash bin. 

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 Ramsey County Environmental Center.

Where do I pick up gloves and bags?

After registration, via online form, Parks will contact you to set up a time to get your bags and gloves. Pick up will happen at 1100 Hamline Ave N. This is a locked facility so pre-scheduled picked is appreciated.

When is the big "Citywide Spring Cleanup" event?

To create more flexibility for residents and community groups, the City of Saint Paul moved away from the traditional one-day Citywide Spring Cleanup event model. Instead, we now focus our resources on providing supplies and guidance to residents and community group cleanups throughout the year, when it works best for them. Browse "Upcoming Events" above to join an upcoming cleanup event, or fill out our litter cleanup request form to organize your own event. 

The Saint Paul Litter Programs 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.

• Fill out the form below to tell us about your clean-up plans. We'll provide you with the bags and gloves.

• Conduct your clean-up! Get your neighbors and community involved.

• 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:

• Adopt the block for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Clean the block a minimum of 12 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 the trash containers at approved locations.
• The adoption period is for a minimum of two (2) years.
• The Adopter agrees to supply and maintain plastic bags in the containers at all times and keep the surrounding area clear of litter and other refuse.
• The Adopter will remove the filled bags and dispose of them in their own refuse container/dumpster.
• The Adopter will work in partnership with the city to maintain the physical condition of the litter container.  If the container suffers from graffiti or other damage the Adopter will notify Public Works Department.

Apply to Adopt-a-Container

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!

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)