Plan a Cleanup

• Check out our map of adoptable sites to find a site near you.
  • Once your choice is made, click on the site and read through site description.
  • Press the “Adopt This Site” button and fill out the form to set up your event and register yourself and any co-leaders. You can choose to make your event public or private.
• Have a site in mind that isn’t listed on the map? Submit a Report a Trash Site form. Once your site is approved, it will show up on the map of adoptable sites where you may then adopt it and register your event as described above.
• Watch our instructional video on How to Register Your Event if you would like a visual guide.
• Still need help? Voice your questions and concerns with the Help Form.

This is a critical step in identifying your site’s condition and suitability for your group:

• Make note of potential hazards (e.g. steep banks, slippery surfaces, poison ivy).
• Ensure that the amount of trash to be picked up is appropriate for the planned number of volunteers.
• Bring some trash bags with you! If there isn’t enough trash for an entire group, clean it yourself today.
• If you encounter a homeless encampment there may be hazardous debris, needles, and human waste. It’s your choice if you would like to tackle this site or make CRC aware of its location.
• We especially encourage youth group leaders to avoid sites that have hazardous waste.

General Trash and Recycling:

• Most local Depts of Public Works or Waste Management Districts are eager to assist your cleanup efforts. Contact them in advance to ask if they will take your trash on cleanup day. Most municipalities will cover any fees and even assist you with picking up larger items.
• Be sure to separate out recycling from trash.

Dumpsters:

• MA and CT: Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, USA Waste, dumpsters can be placed at locations with heavy trash volume on cleanup days. Contact Madeline Hart at least one week in advance.
• VT and NH: You may request a donated dumpster from Budget Dumpster by filling out the form located on their website at least 1-2 weeks prior to your event.

DIY Supplies:
You can find cleanup supplies in your own home. We encourage you or your group members to bring the following:

• Gloves – rubber or work gloves
• 2 waste bags (or buckets) per person – 1 for trash and 1 for recyclables
• Shovels for large debris, i.e. wet blankets, tents (optional)
• First Aid kit (encouraged)
• Hand sanitizer (optional)

CRC’s Supply Order Form:

• Groups of 5 or more may order supplies from CRC.
• Please submit at least 2 weeks before your cleanup date.  Supplies will be available for pickup at our Greenfield office (15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA) or can be shipped to your designated location.

• Once you register your event, you’ll have a unique link to share with your community starting August 5th.
• Reach out to friends, family, and coworkers to join your event!
• Having your volunteers sign up online will make cleanup day run more smoothly for you and your volunteers.
• Spead the love of the Source to Sea Cleanup by hanging posters and sharing on social!
• Use our customizable flyer to add your own Cleanup details and share!
• Send a press release to garner attention about your event in your region. Use our template as a starting point.

You will need to bring several printed items to your cleanup. Most of these can be found in our Group Leader Guide or click below for quick reference:

• Cleanup Talking Points
• Waiver – for walk-in volunteers only
• Child Waiver – for youth groups, to be used in advance
• Trash Tally Sheet
• Trash Coupon
• Hazardous Materials Form

• Use the “buddy system.”
• Look out for and avoid hazards (such as poison ivy, ticks, or unstable banks).
• Have volunteers report hazardous materials to the group leader who will then report it officially.
• Wear a personal floatation device if you’re using boats or wading deeper than knee level.
• Review our Child Safety Guidelines if you have children in your group.

Submitting your data helps show the scope of the trash problem so we can focus solutions where they’re needed most. We recommend assigning a volunteer or two to handle the tallying, while others do the pick up.

Volunteers have two options for tallying their trash:

• Fill out a paper tally.
• Submit a digital tally by using the Clean Swell app.

If your group finds needles or other sharps, complete the following steps:

• Leave in place and report location to a trained professional (police, fire, health dept., etc.), or
• Use gloves and tongs to dispose of in a sharps container or puncture-resistant container (i.e. laundry detergent bottle, coffee can).
• Do not dispose of such materials in your regular trash. Find proper disposal locations near you.

Report any other hazardous or volatile materials using the CRC report form.

State Emergency Response Contacts:

• New Hampshire
• Vermont
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut

If you come across living spaces or anyone experiencing homelessness, take the following actions:

• DO NOT disturb active homes.
• Announce your presence if you see a tent (ie. “Cleanup crew is here!”).
• Introduce yourself and explain the intent of the cleanup if you encounter anyone experiencing homelessness.
• Ask if they would like anything removed and only dispose of items that are clearly waste.
• Offer extra bags for their future use.
• You are not obligated to clean up a site in which you feel uncomfortable. Please alert CRC and your local authorities (i.e. police, health department, DPW).

Trash Tally:

• Paper Tally Users: Enter your data online (preferred) or scan and email to cleanup@ctriver.org or mail to: CRC, 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301.
• CleanSwell Users: No need to enter your data. It is saved automatically upon submission in the app!

Waivers: Volunteers who signed up online will have already submitted their waivers. For those who joined last minute, please return paper forms to: CRC, S2S Cleanup, 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301.

Photos: You can submit pictures and video clips to us via social media, or via our form. Please be sure to include photographer credit, the names of those pictured, and the location of the photo. If you post any photos on social media, be sure to include the hashtag #RiverWitness and tag Connecticut River Conservancy.

You did it! We are so glad you were able to join us this year. A few things to consider as you wrap up:

Take Action: Help keep rivers clean all year long by learning about trash laws in your state and what you can do to make a difference by helping to stop the flow of trash.

Stay tuned: Sign up for CRC eNews for up-to-date info on the Cleanup, News & Events, Action Alerts, and more.

Donate: Join in supporting our efforts to protect the 410-mile watershed by donating today!