Cleanup Resources

If you are planning to host an event, scheduling with the NYC Department of Sanitation using their Volunteer Cleanup Program is the easiest way to equip your group with brooms, rakes, bags, and gloves at no cost. They also pick up your trash bags at the end!

Please keep in mind that you have to apply two weeks in advance.

If your organizer scheduled a pickup, follow their instructions. Otherwise, plan ahead to either find a drop-off location or talk to people who live on or manage a building on the block — explain that you're helping clean and need a place to drop off the bag. Usually people are willing to accommodate.

Hazardous waste such as needles, medical equipment, and batteries (see the classifications here) should not be picked up. Large, illegally dumped items shouldn't either — instead, report them to 311. You can create a quick report using the DropMapp website, which we highly recommend.

Answer coming soon.

Generally, we recommend staying with your group, but if forces are pulling you elsewhere, do your thing. Do keep in mind that leaving a group can make you more susceptible to potential harm, so be intelligent about deciding when to venture alone.

Items you don't mind getting dirty, and long sleeves to protect against bugs.

Standing water and densely packed plants are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Disrupting them will cause a swarm. For general safety, please view our Safety Guidelines.