Team Up to Clean Up | City of Hamilton

Team up to clean up

Organize a Clean Up Event in Your Community

Help keep your community clean in a few easy steps!

Review the program information
Organize your volunteer team
Complete the Team Up to Clean Up registration below

Team Up to Clean Up is a year-round city-wide community cleanup program that helps keep public places in your neighbourhood clean and safe for everyone. This program provides all the tools you need to run a community cleanup including gloves, and specially marked recycling and garbage bags. You can host a clean up event on City property including parks, trails, alleyways, streets and parking lots.

Team up to clean up

Program Information

Organizing a Clean Up Event

Cleanup Opportunities

Safety Information

Team Up to Clean Up Toolkit

Determine program stream

Choose one of the two streams that best aligns with the type of clean up event you would like to organize.

One-Time Event Stream
This stream is for those organizing a community cleanup event. Even if you host multiple events each year, you would register each event individually.

Ongoing Stream
This stream is for those looking to have supplies on hand at home for sporadic or regular litter collecting activities.

Familiarize yourself with volunteer responsibilities and terms by reviewing the Volunteer Handbook available in the Team Up to Clean Up Toolkit tab. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Choose a location

Select an area where you’ve noticed a lot of litter, such as:

Sporting events
Neighbourhood streets
Vacant lots or parking lots (ensure you have the owners permission)
Parks, trails or play areas
We discourage cleanup near busy streets due to safety concerns

Set the date

Arrange a date and time that will ensure a good turnout of volunteers. Set a rain date in case of bad weather.

Gather volunteers

Find volunteers by encouraging your friends, family and neighbours to join your cleanup event.

Pick Up Supplies

Arrange for a volunteer to pick up your supplies (orange litter bags, clear recycling bags, gloves) from the Municipal service Center you selected on your registration form. Most Municipal Service Centres are open between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays). Check Municipal Service Centre locations and hours online before you visit.

Host Clean up

Review Health & Safety and Toolkit information With Volunteers
Before starting the clean-up, ensure all volunteers have reviewed the health & safety information available in the Team Up to Clean Up Toolkit. Ensure all volunteers have signed the volunteer waiver and photo consent form.

Host your cleanup on the registered date, or set rain date.
Promote your event by sharing before and after photos on social media using #TeamUpToCleanUp and #cleanhamont. Tag us in your photos using our social media handles:

Instagram: @cityofhamilton
X: @cityofhamilton
LinkedIn: @cityofhamilton

Dispose of Litter

The litter you collect from your Team Up to Clean Up event should be disposed of using the option you selected on your registration form.

Curbside

Place collected litter curbside at your house on waste collection day. All litter must be put in orange Team Up to Clean up bags to be exempt from your curbside garbage limits. These bags are only available to groups who have registered with Team Up to Clean Up. Do not use your trash tags on these bags.
You can put out as much recycling as you need on your waste collection day. Place recycling in your blue box or the clear plastic bags provided in your supply kit.

Collection (available to one-time stream events only)

You can request collection from the City if you have 10 or more bags that need to be collected.
If this option is selected on your registration form, you will be asked to specify a location where you intend to leave the collected litter. Bags must be left at this location following the cleanup.

Park Garbage Containers (available to park clean-ups only)

Place specially marked bags around garbage containers location in the Park.

Transfer Station (available to one-time stream events only)

Take collected litter to the transfer station.
A tipping fee waiver will be provided in your supply kit if this options is selected on your registration form.
Following the event, take collected litter to the transfer station and show the provided tipping fee waiver to the scale house attendant.

Litter Hotspots

Email [email protected] if you know an area that could benefit from a clean-up

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in joining an existing clean-up instead of organizing your own? Review our community partners or contact your City Councillor to join a clean up event.

Our Community Partners
The City of Hamilton supports local community groups and organization that help keep Hamilton clean and green. These groups organize regular cleanups that are open to the public to participant. Contact any of these groups to join one of their cleanup teams or participate in a one-time cleanup:

Councilor Ward Cleanups
Many councillors organize cleanups for their ward through the Team Up to Clean Up program. Contact your councillor’s office for more details.

It is important that all Team Up to Clean Up Leaders review the health and safety information with participants before each clean-up to ensure they know what to do if they encounter hazardous items.

Safety tips

Visit the cleanup location before your cleanup date to look for possible hazards.
Arrange for adult supervision if you have youth volunteers.
Have young volunteers ask an adult first if they are unsure about picking up a piece of litter.
Make sure volunteers are safe during the event.
Wear a safety vest or bright clothing so volunteers can find you easily in an emergency.
Have all volunteers work in pairs or small groups.
Ensure all volunteers wear work gloves and closed-toe shoes.
Use tools and equipment safely and as intended to avoid injury.
Remind volunteers to wash hands before eating and at the end of the day.
Keep sunscreen and insect repellent on hand.
Make sure all volunteers drink water and keep hydrated.
Ensure volunteers take breaks and do not overexert themselves during the community clean-up.
If you experience any injuries or illnesses during the clean-up, seek medical attention immediately.
Suspend the cleanup during bad weather (fog, thunder and lightning)

Hazardous items

Do not allow volunteers to pick up anything that could be hazardous to their health, including:

hypodermic needles
syringes
jagged glass or other sharp objects
animal carcasses
urine bottles
heavy objects
air brakes

If you come across any hazardous items, flag them and call 905-546-2489.

The Team Up to Clean Up Toolkit is created to offer some of the resources that you require. If you require copies, feel free to print from the pdfs.

Volunteer Manual

Learn about volunteer responsibilities, health & safety information, what you need before you being your clean up and important contact information and resources.

Found a needle, now what?

If you find a needle on Public property including sidewalks, streets, boulevards, parks, trails or facilities, contact the City of Hamilton, Customer Contact Centre, 905-546-2489 and report it.

Planning an Event?

If you’re planning an Event in addition to your clean up, you must register with our Recreation Facilities Division, they will determine availability and whether a Community S.E.A.T. Application is required. Generally, an Event is defined as 15 people or more and anything outside of the scope of an Adopt a Park clean up:

BBQ
Fundraiser
Holiday Celebration
Park Makeover
Community Meeting

Register your Event with Recreation Facility Rentals

If serving food, please ensure that you’re following Public Health Guidelines and that one of your representatives has a validated Food Handlers Certificate.

Food Handler Requirements and Training(PDF, 385.54 KB)

How do I register a Team Up to Clean Up Event?

Volunteers register their event cleanup online, through our online form

How do I join an event?

You can join an event through a host. You can ask your City Councillor if they are hosting any events, or ask if any of these organizations or Business Improvement Areas are hosting any upcoming clean up events:

Where do I get the supplies for doing my clean up?

Please complete the Team Up to Clean Up Registration form on this page to pick up your clean up supplies at least two weeks before your clean up event. Supplies will be delivered to your local Municipal Service Centre for pickup. Items include garbage and recycling bags and biodegradable gloves.

What if I want cleanup supplies on hand to do my own public cleanups, and not host an event?

You can register as “ongoing” clean up type on the Team Up to Clean Up Registration form on this page.

What do I need to volunteer?

Time! The most important thing you need is time - and a love for your community. The possibilities are diverse and are suitable for all ages and abilities, we provide the resources and cleanup supplies!

When is Earth week 2025?

April 18-24, 2025

When is Earth Day 2025?

Tuesday April 22, 2025

When is the Provincial Day of Action on Litter?

Tuesday May 13th, 2025. Please visit Litter Education for more information.

Team Up to Clean Up Registration

Contact Information

Event Organizer Contact

Name

Organization

Email

Phone

Are you part of an Adopt-A-Park Group?

Event Details

Type of clean-up event

Event Location

Planned clean-up date

Minimum 2 weeks notice is required to allow for preparation of the supply kit.

Number of participants

Program Agreement Details

I hereby acknowledge participation in a volunteer program organized in conjunction with the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works Department as with all activities, involves potential risk of injury. These types of injuries may result from my actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others, or a combination of both.

terms

I hereby acknowledge participation in a volunteer program organized in conjunction with the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works Department as with all activities, involves potential risk of injury. These types of injuries may result from my actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others, or a combination of both.

I understand that I must adhere to all health and safety instructions provided, and that health and safety information will be shared with all participants by the event coordinator / Adopt a Park Leader, prior to the commencement of the organized event. I understand that Volunteers are expected to familiarize themselves with these requirements and are expected to follow these general rules when engaged in any activities forming part of this event / clean up. I further acknowledge that these guidelines provide information necessary to assist volunteers in performing their various tasks safely and in a hazard free manner. I understand that the rules and regulations and instructions are designed for the safety and protection of participants and I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed the Elements of Risk as set out below and agree to abide by the rules, regulations and instructions.

terms

I understand that I must adhere to all health and safety instructions provided, and that health and safety information will be shared with all participants by the event coordinator or their designate, prior to the commencement of the organized event. I understand that Volunteers are expected to familiarize themselves with these requirements and are expected to follow these general rules when engaged in any activities forming part of this event. I further acknowledge that these guidelines provide information necessary to assist volunteers in performing their various tasks safely and in a hazard free manner. I understand that the rules and regulations and instructions are designed for the safety and protection of participants and I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed the Elements of Risk as set out below and agree to abide by the rules, regulations and instructions.

All activities, including learning programs, involve certain elements of risk, regardless of comprehensive safety initiatives and provisions. Injuries may occur while participating in this activity, without any fault of the student/volunteer, or the City or any of its employees, officials, or representatives. By taking part in this activity, I am accepting the risk that I may be injured.

terms

All activities, including learning programs, involve certain elements of risk, regardless of comprehensive safety initiatives and provisions. Injuries may occur while participating in this activity, without any fault of the student/volunteer, or the City or any of its employees, officials, or representatives. By taking part in this activity, I am accepting the risk that I may be injured.

I understand that rules and regulations relating to safety are designed for the safety and protection of workers and participants in the activity. I consent to participate in the above-described activity acknowledging all the foregoing risks.

terms

I understand that rules and regulations relating to safety are designed for the safety and protection of workers and participants in the activity. I consent to participate in the above-described activity acknowledging all the foregoing risks.

I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age.

terms

I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age.

Notice of Collection

The City of Hamilton collects information under authority of Section 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Any personal information collected through this Agreement for the Team Up toClean Up Program will be used for communicating the scheduling and confirmation of Clean Ups. By providing your email address, you are consenting to receiving emails from the City of Hamilton and/or their agents/contractors for purposes related to this program.

Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Community Liaison Coordinator, Public Works Department, 71 Main St W, Hamilton Ontario 905-546-2489 and [email protected].

Date modified

February 27, 2025