Order a Cleanup Kit
Everything you need for your next cleanup event! Includes 10 sets of gloves, 40 bags (20 of each color), a clicker to track plastic bottle retrieval, a reflective safety vest for the site leader, data collection sheet and self-addressed envelope to return to us, and a few fun gifts from us to thank you for being a Watershed Warrior!
Pick it up at our property in Accokeek, MD for no additional cost or pay $10/kit to cover the shipping fee and it will be delivered to you. Limit of 2 cleanup kits per site leader.
Cleanup kit orders are currently closed. Check back September 1, 2023 to order your kit for National Public Lands Day.
Free Volunteer Workshops
Our free cleanup workshops will equip you all the knowledge and tools you need to lead a successful trash cleanup in your community, neighborhood or park.
Do you want to see a Trash Cleanup Site Leader training in your neighborhood, at your school, or in your community? Let’s make it happen! Contact us.
Download the Trash Cleanup Leader Guide
We’ve made all the resources you need to organize your own cleanup available below and in this easy-to-download free guide.
Everything You Need To Make A Cleanup Happen
Step 1: Make Sure You Have Permission (And Plan for Trash Pickup!)
Please contact your jurisdiction to acquire permission to be on the land at your chosen cleanup location. You may also ask your jurisdiction to pick up trash and recycling after your event. Below are Potomac Cleanup partners to contact in order to obtain permission and guidance on trash removal for your cleanup location. If your location is not listed, try reaching out to your local parks system or public works staff. Remember, the Cleanup Leader is responsible for coordinating trash pick up.
Helpful Hints for Trash Pickup
- Usually, the person who gives permission to be on the land will also be able to assist in trash pick up.
- Local businesses, churches, schools, etc. may donate the use of their dumpsters. Contact them prior to the event.
- Divide the Cleanup bags among volunteers and have them put the trash & recyclables out with curbside pick up.
- Call your local landfill to ask for a dumping waiver. They are usually very happy to provide a waiver for you to properly dispose of the trash for free.
- If you have large amounts of trash that would call for a dumpster, oftentimes your local waste removal company will be glad to donate a dumpster for the day, delivered and picked up!
- If you have any questions about trash disposal, PLEASE call us! We are happy to connect you with the right people. It is very important that you confirm trash pick up for your site. Thank you!
Potomac Cleanup Partners
Maryland
If you are registering a cleanup in Charles County please contact Jakira Butler: Phone: 301 932 9038 x 4616,
Email: ButlerJ@charlescountymd.gov. Clean up Kits provided.
If you are registering a cleanup in Montgomery County Parks please sign-up here. For questions contact Valeria Espinoza: Phone: 301-495-1302, Email: volunteercleanups@montgomeryparks.org. Trash pick-up included. Clean up Kits provided.
If you are registering a cleanup in Prince George’s County please contact Udoma Ohiri: Phone: 301-883-5829,
Email: ucohiri@co.pg.md.us or contact Alfred Titus-Glover: Phone: 301-883-7164, Email: ATitus-Glover@co.pg.md.us
If you are registering a cleanup in the City of Greenbelt please contact Kevin Driscoll: Phone: 240-542-2168,
Email: kdriscoll@greenbeltmd.gov
If you are registering a cleanup in Frederick County please contact Suzanne Cliber: Phone: 301-600-7414,
Email: SCliber@FrederickCountyMD.gov
If you are registering a cleanup in the City of Frederick please contact Jenny Willoughby: Phone: 301-600-2843, Email: jwilloughby@cityoffrederick.com. Provides bags and gloves.
Virginia
If you are registering a cleanup in Fairfax County Parks please contact Julie Tahan: Phone: 703-324-8740,
Email: Julie.Tahan@fairfaxcounty.gov
If you are registering a cleanup outside of Fairfax County Parks please contact Clean Fairfax Council: Phone: 703-324-5471,
Email: cfc@cleanfairfax.org. Clean up Kits provided, Click HERE for details.
If you are registering a cleanup in Prince William County please contact Veronica Tangiri Phone: 571-379-7514,
Email: waterquality@pwswcd.org
If you are registering a cleanup in Alexandria, please contact Gavin Pellitteri: Phone: 703-746-4071,
Email: gavin.pellitteri@alexandriava.gov
If you are registering a cleanup in Arlington, please contact Lyndell Core: Phone: 703-228-6523, Email: Lcore@arlingtonva.us
Washington DC
If you are registering a cleanup in the District of Columbia please contact District of Columbia Department of Public Works
Phone: 202-737-4404. If you need extra supplies and approval go through Helping Hands who can be reached at (202) 645-7190.
Pennsylvania
If you are interested in registering a cleanup in Pennsylvania (Somerset, Fulton, Bedford, Franklin or Adams counties) please contact Michelle Dunn at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. or go to www.keeppabeautiful.org/keep-pennsylvania-beautiful-clean-it/
Step 2. Register Your Cleanup on the Map
- Log In or register.
Log in to your Alice Ferguson Foundation Community Volunteer account, or sign up here. - Create your cleanup event
You can create your cleanup event from your account dashboard, or by clicking here. - Make sure everything looks right
You can view all your events on your dashboard here. - Share with other volunteers!
Invite your friends, family or coworkers to join you in making a difference this cleanup season.
Step 3. Collect Supplies
Several of our partners do have supplies, please check out Potomac Cleanup Partners above to see if there are cleanup kits available.
Finally, consider posting your clean-up event to the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s clean-up site to help promote your event and gain more volunteers. The Alliance also has supplies (trash bags, gloves, and trash grabbers) available to pick up in locations in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Annapolis, Easton, Washington D.C., Richmond, VA, and Lancaster, PA. Confirm what supplies you’ll need and how many when you register your event here.
Step 4. Log Data
Once you have completed your cleanup event it is time to log your data with the AFF Datasheet Submission form. This can be found in the “Cleanup Resources” link within your log-in account. By logging your data you are helping to support the widespread efforts of the Potomac Cleanup.
Cleanup Event Leader Resources & Downloadables
Click below to download volunteer waivers, guidebook, talking points and a sign-in sheet for your cleanup.
Map of Cleanup Events.
What started as a few cleanup events along the Potomac River is now a regional event spanning Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Help us make a difference.