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Volunteer for a North End Litter Cleanup April 25!

Join Public Works for a litter cleanup in the North End neighborhood on Saturday, April 25 from 9 - 11 a.m.! 

Volunteers will meet at the Public Works building at 60 W. Sycamore Street, then clean up along streets, sidewalks, and alleys nearby. 

All age volunteers are welcome. Youth should have an adult present. All supplies will be provided. 

The litter cleanup will be followed by a home and garden tool reuse swap. Find out more about the swap here.

Looking for litter cleanup supplies or other volunteer opportunities? Scroll further down this page for more. 

Sign Up to Volunteer Here!

Saint Paul Litter Programs

We provide resources for you to help clean up and prevent litter in your neighborhood. Make a difference by reducing pollution and protecting public health. Explore our programs below. 

One-Time Litter Cleanup

The One-Time Litter Cleanup program is available to all individuals and groups. You can host a cleanup or participate in one that's scheduled though Saint Paul Garbage & Recycling. Whether you're hosting or participating, we'll provide you with gloves and plastic bags.

How It Works

Plan a Cleanup

To plan your own litter cleanup, decide on:

  • Date of your cleanup
  • Location of your cleanup
  • How many volunteers you'll have

Complete the sign-up form to request supplies (garbage bags, recycling bags, and gloves). You can also request disposal assistance, if needed. We'll respond to all litter cleanup requests to discuss details. 

Fill out our volunteer application to let us know which programs you're interested in. 

Request Free Litter Cleanup Supplies Here

Volunteer for a Cleanup

Join Public Works for a litter cleanup! 

  •  North End neighborhood: Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

Sign Up to Volunteer for 4/25 Cleanup

  • University Ave: Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • Downtown Saint Paul: Wednesday, July 17, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
District Council Cleanups

The City of Saint Paul also partners with District Councils to support litter cleanups. District Councils organize volunteers for cleanups in their areas.  

District Councils who signed up to participate in 2026 include: 

If you live in one of these areas, visit your District Council's website to learn when their next cleanup is and how you can participate. You can also reach out to any of the other District Councils, who may be planning other litter cleanup projects.

Find Your District Council

Adopt-a-Block

Partner with neighbors, friends, or colleagues to keep your block litter-free all year! 

How It Works

  • Adopt a Saint Paul block of your choice for at least two years.
  • Pick up litter on both sides of the street, as well as the alley if there is one, throughout the year. 
  • Clean the public sidewalks, curbs, boulevards and storm drains, corner-to-corner including the alley.
  • Place bagged litter in your own trash container. Place leaves or other yard waste in a backyard compost bin or deliver it to a Ramsey County yard waste site.
  • If you are doing a larger litter cleanup and need assistance with collection of the materials, Public Works can assist with collection by request. 

Adopt-a-Container

black trash container with lid outside on sidewalk

Have you noticed an area that collects a lot of litter? Volunteer to adopt a garbage container. We'll provide and repair containers at approved locations. 

New container requests will be reviewed in late fall 2026.

How It Works

  • Adopt a container for a minimum of two years.
  • Supply and maintain plastic bags in the container at all times.
  • Keep the surrounding area clear of litter and other refuse.
  • Carefully remove filled bags and dispose of them in your garbage container.
  • Notify Public Works of any damage or graffiti on the container. 

Report Illegal Dumping

Have you seen an item illegally dumped on public property? If you're unable to collect it, let us know and report the incident.

For issues regarding items dumped on private property, contact the Department of Safety and Inspections at 651-266-8989.

Report Illegal Dumping

Get Involved With Other Organizations

Adopt-a-Drain

Storm drains flow to local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Unfortunately, they can become pathways for trash and organic pollutants. Adopt a storm drain in your neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution!

Adopt-a-Drain Program

Track Your Litter Cleanup

Join an important community science project!

Our storm drains flow into the Mississippi River, bringing trash and pollution from our streets along for the ride. We have a responsibility to keep the river clean for communities downstream of us. Tracking litter helps scientists, government, businesses, and community members take informed action. 

Use the Marine Debris Tracker when you pick up litter to contribute to science and to the health of the Mississippi River. Select the "MRCTI tab" to make sure your information makes it to the right place.

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Saint Paul Litter Programs

Thank you to everyone who participates in Saint Paul Litter Programs. Our volunteers make an incredible difference in our communities and our world. Keep up the great work, Saint Paul!