Earth Day is a global event that is celebrated annually on April 22nd. It is a day that is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and encouraging people to take action to protect our planet. One way municipalities can get residents involved in an Earth Day clean-up event is by following these simple steps:

1. Start Early: Begin promoting the event several weeks in advance. Use social media, flyers, and posters to spread the word. Encourage local businesses and organizations to promote the event as well. If your community uses Recycle Coach, you are able to send out notifications to residents through the Recycle Coach mobile app to let them know an event is coming up. Make sure to add your event to other websites that list clean-up events so that you reach a broader audience.

2. Identify Target Areas: Identify areas in your municipality that need the most attention. This could be a local park, beach, or even a street that needs litter clean-up. Use this event as a way to not only clean up litter, but teach residents about proper recycling in your program. Make sure to have clear signage at the event that teaches residents about proper recycling as they pick up litter.

3. Provide Supplies: Make sure you have enough gloves, garbage bags, recycling bins, and other supplies for volunteers. You can ask local businesses to donate supplies in order to become sponsors of your event. Make sure to have plenty of water and snacks on hand for volunteers too. You can also use this event to promote the Recycle Coach App to your residents by making our QR code visible. This way you can encourage residents to utilize our year-round recycling education.

4. Make it Fun: Encourage volunteers to bring friends and family members. Make it a fun event by providing music, competitions, and prizes. Consider having a photo booth or other fun activities to keep volunteers engaged. This is also a great opportunity to teach residents in your area about sustainability practices they can use all year long. Think incorporating games that can encourage people to switch to more sustainable practices by showing them how those new habits can help the environment.

5. Thank Volunteers: Make sure to thank volunteers for their hard work. Consider hosting a post-clean-up event to celebrate their efforts. Provide certificates of appreciation or small gifts to show your gratitude. These are great ways to show them you appreciate their commitment to their community and that their efforts to better the environment are not going unnoticed.

Overall, getting residents involved in an Earth Day clean-up event is a great way to promote environmental awareness and encourage people to take action to protect our planet. By following these simple steps, municipalities can help make a positive impact in their communities.