Organizing a Great American Cleanup Event
First - Check to see if there is a KAB Affiliate in your area. By coordinating your efforts with theirs, you may be eligible for additional support and supplies.
Important Links
Great American Cleanup Sign-up Form Great American Cleanup Report Form Learn more about how to organize a cleanup event To participate in the Great American Cleanup, you must agree to organize one major cleanup in the months of March, April or May. You must also agree to submit your Report Form in a timely fashion after the event, no later than the deadline. We also ask that you send us copies of any publicity materials you generate as well as non-polaroid pictures you take. These items are critical to help us tell the story of your success to sponsors and the public. We encourage you to get creative! To have the greatest impact on your community expand your efforts and participate in a variety of litter prevention, beautification, and waste minimization activities.
Here are some suggestions:
· Graffiti Removal - Paint over the unsightly graffiti-marked areas in your community. Studies have shown removing graffiti greatly reduces litter and crime.
· Recycling - In areas with non-mandatory programs, recycling drives provide a great opportunity to educate the public about the importance of recycling and to involve local community groups, schools, and businesses in the cleanup.
· Beautification/Community Improvement - Studies have shown that people are less likely to litter in well-kept areas. Painting community buildings and planting flowers, shrubs, and trees are great ways to combat litter and enhance the attractiveness of your community.
· Clothes Collection - Collecting used clothing for donation to local charities has a number of important benefits. Clothing drives allow you to educate the public about the benefits of reuse, they benefit local charities and they often involve segments of the community that do not or can not participate in other ways.
· Create Your Own Event - Communities across the state have created their own unique Great American Cleanup events. Organizations have collected used tires and household hazardous waste for proper disposal. Communities have held contests with local schools. School children have also raised and released butterflies. As long as your idea prevents litter, beautifies your community, minimizes waste, or educates the public about these issues, it can be a part of your Great American Cleanup!Thanks to our sponsors, we offer a variety of materials designed to help in your cleanup efforts. Statewide and national sponsors such as the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Power, The Coca-Cola Company, Home Depot, MTD Products, Wrigley, Ruffies, Pepsi, and Fort James Corporation provide trash bags, gloves, and promotional materials. Keep Georgia Beautiful will also provide a press kit containing news releases, public service announcements, publicity ideas and artwork. KAB communities will have priority for some materials and supplies are limited.
To Sign Up
If you have participated previously, are a city or county government or are a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate, you will be contacted automatically. If you are a new participant or do not receive a sign up form in the mail, beginning in January, you can return to this site and sign up online. You will also be able to submit your completed wrap up report online following your event. If you need a paper copy of the forms or have any questions please contact Kimberly Portmess at kportmes@dca.state.ga.us or by phone at (404) 679-1580.