Litter Stewards

Picking up litter in public spaces helps keep the Vancouver community safe and clean for all to enjoy. There has been a strong response from the community to help with litter removal throughout Vancouver and we look forward to training and equipping more community members to help us with this complex need. 

Other litter removal organizations:

• Solve
• Adopt One Block

Self-Led Litter Steward

If you plan to pick up litter around your neighborhood, in a park or public space on a frequent basis and you need supplies or disposal support this is the litter project for you.  All volunteers must make an ongoing commitment, complete the volunteer application, attend an orientation, and follow all safety protocols and have preapproved locations for removal.  

Hotspot Expeditions and Meet-Ups

These are planned events for trained and equipped Litter Steward volunteers.  Litter Stewards will meet at various identified litter “hotspots” and cleanup as a team. Check the City’s Volunteer Calendar for upcoming events.

Litter Removal Tips

• Use your litter picker whenever possible.
• It is best to separate glass/nails and other sharp objects into a sturdy bucket, so they don’t rip through your bags.
• Please do not pick up personal items – i.e. backpacks, shoes, camping gear, etc.
• Micro-litter is just as important as large pieces of litter, please also concentrate on cigarette butts, small pieces of plastic, and other micro trash.
• Do not approach or clean up campsites.
• Do not pick up bio-waste(including feces, deceased animals, etc.)
• Do not open containers filled with liquid.
• Do not pick up drug paraphernalia, or anything else that makes you uncomfortable.
• If you find any of the items listed above, please take a picture not the location, and send to your volunteer coordinator, so they can arrange proper disposal.
• For a complete list of safety information review the Volunteer Programs Safety Orientation.