Litter awareness is top of mind each spring, thanks to a bevy of beautification and cleanup events that take place across Hampton Roads. To make it easier for individual residents and groups to lead their own efforts, askHRgreen.org has launched “Team Up 2 Clean Up”.

“With 51 billion pieces of litter tossed into the environment each year, it’s everyone’s responsibility, from schools and civic leagues to businesses and neighbors on the block,” said Katie Cullipher, askHRgreen.org team leader. “Team Up 2 Clean Up offers the tips and tools that make it easy to organize your own cleanup event, wherever you may be.”

Within the online toolkit, cleanup organizers can download posters, brochures and resources to educate their peers about littering and also find tips to help organize their own events. In addition, the site features a comprehensive listing of existing cleanups and community beautification programs throughout the region.

There is no such thing as a little litter, and the cost it imposes on communities and businesses is substantial. Left unattended, trash, cigarette butts and plastic waste can reduce property values, harm local waterways, endanger wildlife and impact quality of life.

While there are expenses associated with keeping the areas around signs, office doors and parking lots litter-free, consider the cost of fixing your image in the marketplace, cautioned Cullipher.

“Everyone can work together to prevent litter on the ground and in our waterways,” said Cullipher. “But when litter occurs, why not assemble your own team and make it a group cleanup effort?”

For more information about litter prevention and all things green, visit www.askHRgreen.org.

Good to Do – Businesses

• Include litter education in employee training and incorporate litter prevention strategies into regular employee tasks.
• Engage your employees; ask for their input.
• Provide convenient trash, ash and recycling receptacles at “transition points” to give customers a proper disposal option. Don’t forget receptacles for employee break areas as well.
• Use only covered trash, ash and recycling containers to eliminate trash from spilling or blowing out.
• Evaluate your packaging; the distribution of straws/condiments/napkins (for food services); and the need for paper receipts, plastic bags, etc.
• Post Team Up 2 Clean Up posters or brochures to remind customers and employees that your business cares about litter prevention.
• Rally the troops and organize a Team Up 2 Clean Up event in or around your business.

Good to Do – Everyone

• If you see trash around the neighborhood, pick it up. Be a good neighbor and set an example.
• Keep litter and other debris off your streets where it can easily enter storm drains and ditches.
• Be sure your trash and recycling containers stay covered to prevent trash from spilling or blowing out.

Good to Do – Schools & Youth Groups

• “Adopt” an area and clean up litter regularly.
• Display signage that encourages people to throw trash away properly.
• Host a “litter-free” event.
• Learn what’s being littered and develop strategies for preventing it.
• Launch a litter prevention project with funds from the askHRgreen.org Mini Grant Program.

About askHRgreen.org

askHRgreen.org is your go-to resource for all things green in Hampton Roads – from recycling tips and pointers for keeping local waterways clean to water-saving ideas and simple steps to make local living easy on the environment. Launched in 2011, the region-wide public awareness and education campaign is administered through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and powered by the following members: The cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, Surry and York; the town of Smithfield; and HRSD. Like askHRgreen.org on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram, tune in to YouTube and catch the “Let’s Talk Green” blog, written by a team of local experts.