Litter Clean-up Programs

Come Clean! Programs

The City of Saint Paul offers numerous ways to support residents who want to collect and prevent litter in their neighborhoods. To participate, please complete the Come Clean! Program Application. See below for details.

To help address the ongoing problem of trash and litter in our community, the city is encouraging community members to help clean, beautify, and improve their neighborhoods. Clean neighborhoods benefit everyone!

The Come Clean! Program offers multiple ways to get involved. You supply the time, energy and enthusiasm and we will supply the trash bags, gloves and many, many thanks. Businesses and individuals who Adopt-a-Block can request a window cling or lawn sign in recognition of their efforts.

Questions? Contact the Come Clean! Coordinator at (651) 266-6199.

The One-Time Litter Cleanup assistance program is available to all individuals and groups, such as block clubs, neighborhood associations, and private businesses. The Come Clean! Program provides gloves and plastic bags to collect trash and recycling.
How to conduct a One-Time Litter Cleanup: 
- Choose an area to collect litter, such as a sidewalk, boulevard, park, or other area that is important to you.
- Fill out the form below to tell us about your clean-up plans. We'll provide you with the bags and gloves.
- Conduct your clean-up! Get your neighbors and community involved.
- Place bagged litter in your own trash container. If disposal at home is not possible, you may request a pick-up of collected materials. 
Apply for a One-Time Litter Cleanup
The Adopt-a-Block program is offered to all organized block clubs, neighborhood groups, individuals and organizations interested in cleaning up a portion of their neighborhood in an effort to improve the livability of their community. The Come Clean! Program provides gloves and plastic bags to collect trash and recycling.
The following are requirements for adopting a block:
- Adopt the block for a minimum of two (2) years.
- Clean the block a minimum of 12 times per year.
- Adopt all four (4) sides of the block, including the alley if there is one.
- Clean the public sidewalks, curbs, boulevards and storm drains, corner-to-corner including the alley.
  Clean up at storm drains may include removing litter and leaves/organic material.
- Place bagged litter in your own trash container and organic debris in a backyard compost bin or deliver to a Ramsey Co. yard waste site.
- If disposal at home or delivery to the yard waste site is prohibitive, you may request a pick-up of materials.
Apply to Adopt-a-Block
Residents or organizations can adopt a trash receptacle in order to help combat litter in their neighborhood. The city will provide the trash containers at approved locations.
The following are requirements for adopting a litter container:
- The adoption period is for a minimum of two (2) years.
- The Adopter agrees to supply and maintain plastic bags in the containers at all times and keep the surrounding area clear of litter and other refuse.
- The Adopter will remove the filled bags and dispose of them in their own refuse container/dumpster.
- The Adopter will work in partnership with the City to maintain the physical condition of the litter container. If the container suffers from graffiti or other damage the Adopter will notify the Come Clean! Coordinator.
Apply to Adopt-a-Container
Come Clean! Resources
- Adopt-a-Container: Details | Download a Paper Application
- Adopt-a-Block: Details | Download a Paper Application
- One Time Litter Cleanup: Download a Paper Application
- For Volunteers: Download a Sign-in Form

Illegal Dumping

If you see items that have been illegally dumped on public property, but you're unable to collect them yourself, report the incident to the Public Works Recycling & Waste Reduction Department.

Illegal Dumping Form

Other Ways to Get Involved

Citywide Spring Cleanup

Each year, hundreds of volunteers gather across Saint Paul for the Citywide Spring Cleanup to pick up garbage that has recently become exposed due to the melting snow. This event is organized by the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department.

Visit their website to learn more about participating!

Adopt-a-Drain

Storm drains flow directly to local lakes, rivers, and wetlands, acting as a conduit for trash and organic pollutants. Adopt a Drain asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution.

Visit their website to learn more about participating!

National Connections

Participate in an important community science project!

In Saint Paul, our storm drains flow into the Mississippi River, bringing trash and pollution from our streets along for the ride. As the headwater state, we have a responsibility to keep the river clean for all communities downstream of us. During the Citywide Spring Cleanup, and anytime you pick up trash in the future, using the Marine Debris Tracker will help 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.

Community volunteers of any experience level can help track litter to help scientists, policy-makers, businesses, and community members take informed action. Data that you collect in your neighborhood will be part of the national Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative, the first data snapshot to combat plastic pollution along one of the world’s greatest waterways. (NOTE: Be sure to select the “MRCTI” tab when you open the app for the first time so your data is included in the initiative.)